ttSlltllllltlltlltlltlltlltiltlltlltlltllliltlltlltlltlltlltllllltlltlltlltlltlltll: 


AMERICA 


DISCOVERED 


=    TENTH  CENTURY 


) 

i 

\ 


By  CHARLES  C.  RAFtf, 

SF.C'Hr.S  AUV  TO  THE  ROYAL  SOCIETY  OV  NORTHMN  ANTIQUARIES, 
COPENHAGEN.  1 

vmWSSBS^:-  — ~ — ~^ — " — ~  i 


NEW  YORK: 
WILLIAM  JACKSON,  102  BROADWAY. 


MDCCGXXXV11I. 


1 


Avery  Architectural  and  Fine  Arts  Library 
Gift  of  Seymour  B.  Durst  Old  York  Library 

| 
f 


AMERICA 


DISCOVERED 


IN  THE 


TENTH  CENTURY 


By  CHARLES  C.  RAFN, 

SECRETARY  TO  THE  ROYAL  SOCIETY  OF  NORTHERN  ♦ANTIQUARIES, 
COPENHAGEN. 


NEW  YORK: 
WILLIAM  JACKSON,  102  BROADWAY/ 


MDCCCXXX  VIII. 


NEW  YORK : 
PRINTED  RY  WILLIAM  JACKSON. 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  ante-Columbian  History  of  America  has  of 
late,  more  than  formerly,  been  favoured  with  public  atten- 
tion. Facts  which  shed  an  unexpected  light  on  this 
remote  period,  formerly  supposed  to  be  wrapped  in  Cimme- 
rian darkness,  have  been  gathered  from  various  sources. 
We  have  been  repeatedly  surprised  by  many  a  hint,  nay 
more,  by  many  an  incontestable  sign,  presented  to  us,  and 
now  at  length  we  rely  with  increased  confidence  on  those 
researches  whose  object  is  to  brighten  up  and  illustrate 
the  obscure  recesses  of  antiquity. 

The  discovery  of  America  in  the  tenth  century  may 
justly  be  considered  as  one  of  the  very  remarkable  events 
in  the  history  of  the  world  ;  and  discerning  posterity  will 
not  refuse  to  the  hardy  Scandinavians  who  effected  it,  that 
place  in  the  world's  annals,  to  which  their  achievements 
have  given  them  an  irrefragable  title.  Here,  however, 
nothing  is  to  be  expected  beyond  a  concise  and  summary 
view  of  the  ancient  historical  events  which  occurred  in 
America  proper,  and  of  such  notices  respecting  the 
geography,  hydrography,  and  natural  history  of  that  part 
of  the  world,  as  are  preserved  in  the  ancient  records  of 


IV  INTRODUCTION. 

Scandinavia,  now  published  in  the  "  Antiquitates  Ame- 
ricans." In  the  remote  age  now  alluded  to,  Greenland 
had  a  considerable  European  population,  forming  a  distinct 
diocese.  But  the  great  mass  of  records  which  relate  to 
this  polar  region  of  America,  could  not  be  noticed.  It  is 
to  be  remembered,  that  the  discovery  of  Iceland  about  the 
middle  of  the  ninth  century,  the  settlement  there  made  by 
Ingolf,  in  the  year  874,  and  the  subsequent  complete 
colonization  of  the  country,  which,  in  the  course  of  a 
century,  was  effected  by  some  of  the  most  powerful  and 
wealthy  families  of  the  North,  were  occurrences  preceding 
the  discovery  of  America.  But  then  the  seas  about  Ice- 
land having  been  navigated  in  all  directions  for  a  con- 
siderable time,  Greenland  could  not  remain  undiscovered ; 
and,  glancing  at  the  vast  number  of  original  records 
extant,  relative  to  the  history  of  the  Icelandic  settlement, 
and  observing  the  stir  and  bustle  which  at  that  time 
agitated  this  remote  island,  the  discovery  of  America  will 
appear  almost  as  an  inevitable  consequence  of  the  natural 
course  of  things,  or  at  least  as  an  event  easily  accounted 
for. 

The  author  of  the  following  pages  will  with  confidence 
abide  the  verdict  of  discerning  readers,  as  to  the  question, 
whether  the  validity  of  the  title  be  established  by  their 
contents. 


AN  ABSTRACT 

OF  THE 

HISTORICAL  EVIDENCE 

CONTAINED   IN  THE 

"  ANTIQUITATES  AMERICANS." 


BIARNE  HERIULFSON'S  VOYAGE  IN  THE 
YEAR  986. 

Eric  the  Red,  in  the  spring"  of  986,  emigrated  from 
Iceland  to  Greenland,  formed  a  settlement  there,  and  fixed 
his  residence  at  Brattalid  in  Ericsfiord.  Among  others 
who  accompanied  him  was  Heriulf  Bardson,  who  esta- 
blished himself  at  Heriulfsnes.  Biarne,  the  son  of  the 
latter,  was  at  that  time  absent  on  a  trading  voyage  to  Nor- 
way ;  but  in  the  course  of  the  summer  returning  to  Eyrar, 
in  Iceland,  and  finding  that  his  father  had  taken  his  de- 
parture, this  bold  navigator  resolved  "still  to  spend  the 
following  winter,  like  all  the  preceding  ones,  with  his 
father,"  although  neither  he  nor  any  of  his  people  had 
ever  navigated  the  Greenland  sea.  They  set  sail,  but  met 
With  northerly  winds  and  fqgs,  and,  after  many  days  sail- 
ing, knew  not  whither  they  had  been  carried.  At  length, 
when  the  weather  again  cleared  up,  they  saw  a  land  which 
was  without  mountains,  overgrown  with  wood,  and  having 
many  gentle  elevations.  As  this  land  did  not  correspond 
to  the  descriptions  of  Greenland,  they  left  it  on  the  larboard 
hand,  and  continued  sailing  two  days,  when  they  saw  an- 
other land  which  was  flat,  and  overgrown  with  wood. 
From  thence  they  stood  out  to  sea,  and  sailed  three  days 


6 


DISCOVERY   OP  AMERICA 


with  a  S.W.  wind,  when  they  saw  a  third  land,  which  was 
high  and  mountainous,  and  covered  with  icebergs  (gla- 
ciers ;)  they  coasted  along  the  shore,  and  saw  that  it  was 
an  island.  They  did  not  go  on  shore,  as  Biarne  did  not  find 
the  country  to  be  inviting.  Bearing  away  from  this  island, 
they  stood  out  to  sea  with  the  same  wind,  and  after  four 
days  sailing  with  fresh  gales,  they  reached  Heriulsfnes,  in 
Greenland. 


DISCOVERIES  OF  LEIF  ERICSON,  AND  FIRST 
SETTLEMENT  OF  VINELAND. 

Some  time  after  this,  probably  in  the  year  994,  Biarne 
paid  a  visit  to  Eric,  earl  of  Norway,  and  told  him  of  his 
voyage,  and  of  the  unknown  lands  he  had  discovered.  He 
was  blamed  by  many  for  not  having  examined  these  coun- 
tries more  accurately.  On  his  return  to  Greenland  there 
was  much  talk  about  undertaking  a  voyage  of  discovery. 
Leif,  a  son  of  Eric  the  Red,  bought  Biarne's  ship,  and 
equipped  it  with  a  crew  of  thirty-five  men,  among  whom  was 
a  German,  of  the  name  of  Tyrker,  who  had  long  resided 
with  his  father,  and  who  had  been  very  fond  of  Leif  in  his 
childhood.  In  the  year  1000  they  commenced  the  projected 
voyage,  and  came  first  to  the  land  which  Biarne  had  seen 
last.  They  cast  anchor  and  went  on  shore.  No  grass  was 
seen  ;  but  every  where  in  this  country  were  vast  ice- 
mountains  (glaciers,)  and  the  intermediate  space  between 
these  and  the  shore  was,  as  it  were,  one  uniform  plain  of 
slate  (hella :)  the  country  appearing  to  them  destitute  of 
good  qualities,  they  called  it  HELLU-LAND.  They  put 
out  to  sea,  and  came  to  another  land  where  they  also  went 
on  shore.  The  country  was  level  (slett,)  and  covered  with 
woods,  and  wheresoever  they  went,  there  were  cliffs  of 
white  sand  (sand-ar  hvitir,)  and  a  low  coast  (6-sw-bratt ;) 
they  called  the  country  MARK-LAND  ( Woodland.)  From 


IN   THE    TENTH  CENTURY. 


7 


thence  they  again  stood  out  to  sea,  with  a  N.E.  wind,  and 
continued  sailing-  for  two  days,  before  they  made  land 
again.  They  then  came  to  an  island  which  lay  to  the 
eastward  of  the  mainland,  and  entered  a  channel  between 
this  island  and  a  promontory  projecting  in  an  easterly  (and 
northerly)  direction  from  the  mainland.  They  sailed  west- 
ward in  waters  where  there  was  much  ground  left  dry  at 
ebb-tide.  Afterwards  they  went  on  shore  at  a  place  where 
a  river,  issuing  from  a  lake,  fell  into  the  sea.  They  brought 
their  ship  into  the  river,  and  from  thence  into  the  lake, 
where  they  cast  anchor.  Here  they  constructed  some 
temporary  log-huts  ;  but,  afterwards,  when  they  had  made 
up  their  mind  to  winter  there,  they  built  large  houses, 
afterwards  called  LEIFS-BUDIR  (Leifsbooths.)  When 
the  buildings  were  completed,  Leif  divided  his  people  into 
two  companies,  who  were  by  turns  employed  in  keeping 
watch  at  the  houses,  and  in  making  small  excursions  for 
the  purpose  of  exploring  the  country  in  the  vicinity  :  his 
instructions  to  them  were,  that  they  should  not  go  to  a 
greater  distance  than  that  they  might  return  in  the  course 
of  the  same  evening,  and  that  they  should  not  separate 
from  one  another.  Leif  took  his  turn  also,  joining  the  ex- 
ploring party  the  one  day,  and  remaining  at  the  houses  the 
other.  It  so  happened  that  one  day  the  German,  Tyrker, 
was  missing.  Leif  accordingly  went  out  with  twelve  men 
in  search  of  him,  but  they  had  not  gone  far  from  their 
houses,  when  they  met  him  coming  towards  them.  When 
L-  if  enquired  why  he  had  been  so  long  absent,  he  at  first 
answered  in  German,  but  they  did  not  understand  what  he 
said.  He  then  said  to  them  in  the  Norse  tongue :  "  I  did 
not  go  much  farther,  yet  I  have  a  discovery  to  acquaint 
you  with ;  I  have  found  vines  and  grapes."  He  added, 
by  way  of  confirmation,  that  he  had  been  born  in  a  country 
where  there  was  plenty  of  vines.  They  had  now  two 
occupations,  viz.,  to  hew  timber  for  loading  the  ship,  and 
collect  grapes ;  with  these  last  they  filled  the  ship's  long 


8  DISCOVERY   OF  AMERICA 

boat.  Leif  gave  a  name  to  the  country,  and  called  it  V1N- 
LAND  (Vineland.)  In  the  spring  they  sailed  again  from 
thence,  and  returned  to  Greenland. 


THORWALD  ERICSON'S  EXPEDITION  TO 
MORE  SOUTHERN  REGIONS. 

Leif's  Vineland  voyage  was  now  a  subject  of  frequent 
conversation  in  Greenland,  and  his  brother  Thorwald 
was  of  opinion  that  the  country  had  not  been  sufficiently 
explored.  He  accordingly  borrowed  Leif's  ship,  and,  aided 
by  his  brother's  counsel  and  directions,  commenced  a 
voyage  in  the  year  1002.  He  arrived  at  Leifsbooths,  in 
Vineland,  where  they  spent  the  winter,  he  and  his  crew 
employing  themselves  in  fishing.  In  the  spring  of  1003 
Thorwald  sent  a  party  in  the  ship's  long-boat  on  a  voyage 
of  discovery  southwards.  They  found  the  country  beautiful 
and  well  wooded,  with  but  little  space  between  the  woods 
and  the  sea  ;  there  were  likewise  extensive  ranges  of 
white  sand,  and  many  islands  and  shallows.  They  found 
no  traces  of  men  having  been  there  before  them,  excepf  ing 
on  an  island  lying  to  the  westward,  where  they  found  a 
wooden  shed.  They  did  not  return  to  Leifsbooths  until 
the  fall.  In  the  following  summer,  1004,  Thorwald  sailed 
eastward  with  the  large  ship,  and  then  northward  past  a 
remarkable  headland  enclosing  a  bay,  and  which  was 
opposite  to  another  headland.  They  called  it  KIAL- 
AR-NES  (Keel  Cape.)  From  thence  they  sailed  along 
the  eastern  coast  of  the  land,  into  the  nearest  firths,  to  a 
promontory  which  there  projected,  and  which  was  every 
where  overgrown  with  wood.  There  Thorwald  went 
ashore  with  all  his  companions.  He  was  so  pleased  with 
this  place,  that  he  exclaimed :  "  This  is  beautiful !  and 
here  I  should  like  well  to  fix  my  dwelling  !"  Afterwards, 


IU    THE   TENTH  CEJSTURY. 


0 


when  they  were  preparing  to  go  on  board,  they  observed 
on  the  sandy  beach,  within  the  promontory,  three  hillocks, 
and  repairing  thither,  they  found  three  canoes,  under  each 
of  which  were  three  Skrellings  (Esquimaux;)  they  came 
to  blows  with  the  latter,  and  killed  eight,  but  the  ninth 
escaped  with  his  canoe.  Afterwards  a  countless  number 
issued  forth  against  them  from  the  interior  of  the  bay. 
They  endeavoured  to  protect  themselves  by  raising  battle 
screens  on  the  ship's  side.  The  Skrellings  continued 
shooting  at  them  for  a  while,  and  then  retired.  Thorwald 
was  wounded  by  an  arrow  under  the  arm,  and  finding  that 
the  wound  was  mortal,  he  said,  "  I  now  advise  you  to  pre- 
pare for  your  departure  as  soon  as  possible,  but  me  ye  shall 
bring  to  the  promontory,  where  I  thought  it  good  to  dwell ; 
it  may  be  that  it  was  a  prophetic  word  that  fell  from  my 
mouth  about  my  abiding  there  for  a  season  ;  there  shall 
ye  bury  me,  and  plant  a  cross  at  my  head,  and  another  at 
my  feet,  and  call  the  place  KROSS-A-NES  (Crossness) 
in  all  time  coming."  He  died,  and  they  did  as  he  had 
ordered.  Afterwards,  they  returned  to  their  companions 
at  Leifsbooths,  and  spent  the  winter  there  ;  but,  in  the 
spring  of  1005,  they  sailed  again  to  Greenland,  having 
important  intelligence  to  communicate  to  Leif. 


UNSUCCESSFUL  ATTEMPT  OF  THORSTEIN 
ERICSON. 

Thorstein,  Eric's  third  son,  had  resolved  to  proceed  to 
Vineland  to  fetch  his  brother's  body.  He  fitted  out  the 
same  ship,  and  selected  twenty-five  strong  and  able-bodied 
men  for  his  crew :  his  wife  Gudrida  also  went  along  with 
him.  They  were  tossed  about  the  ocean  during  the  whole 
summer,  and  knew  not  whither  they  were  driven  ;  but  at 
the  close  of  the  first  week  of  winter  they  landed  at  Ly- 

B 


to 


DISCOVERY   OF  AMERICA 


sufiord,  in  the  western  settlement  of  Greenland.  There 
Thorstein  died  during  the  winter  ;  and,  in  the  spring, 
Gudrida  returned  again  to  Ericsfiord. 


SETTLEMENT  EFFECTED  IN  VINELAND, 
BY  THORFINN. 

In  the  following  summer,  1006,  there  arrived  in  Green- 
land two  ships  from  Iceland  ;  the  one  was  commanded  by 
Thorfinn,  having"  the  very  significant  surname  of  Karls- 
kfne  (i.  e.  one  who  promises  or  is  destined  to  be  an  able 
or  great  man,)  a  wealthy  and  powerful  man,  of  illustrious 
lineage,  and  sprung  from  Danish,  Norwegian,  Swedish, 
Irish,  and  Scottish  ancestors,  some  of  whom  were  kings  or 
of  royal  descent.  He  was  accompanied  by  Snorre  Thor- 
bkandson,  who  was  also  a  man  of  distinguished  lineage. 
The  other  ship  was  commanded  by  Biarne  Grimolfson, 
of  Breidefiord,  and  Thorhall  Gamlason,  of  Austfiord. 
They  kept  the  festival  of  Yule,  or  Christmas,  at  Brattalid. 
Thorfin  became  enamoured  of  Gudrida,  and  obtained  the 
consent  of  her  brother-in-law,  Leif ;  and  their  marriage 
was  celebrated  in  the  course  of  the  winter.  On  this,  as 
on  former  occasions,  the  voyage  to  Vineland  formed  a 
favorite  theme  of  conversation,  and  Thorfin  was  urged 
both  by  his  wife  and  others  to  undertake  such  a  voyage. 
It  was  accordingly  resolved  on.  In  the  spring  of  1007 
Karlsefne  and  Snorre  fitted  out  their  ship,  and  Biarne  and 
Thorhall  likewise  equipped  theirs.  A  third  ship  (being 
that  in  which  Gudrida's  father,  Thorbiorn,  had  formerly 
come  to  Greenland)  was  commanded  by  Thorward,  who 
was  married  to  Freydisa,  a  natural  daughter  of  Eric  the 
Red ;  and  on  board  the  ship  was  also  a  man  of  the  name 
of  Thorhall,  who  had  long  served  Eric  as  huntsman  in 
summer,  and  as  house-steward  in  winter,  and  who  had 


IN  THE  TENTH  CENTURY. 


11 


much  acquaintance  with  the  uncolonized  parts  of  Green- 
land. The  whole  expedition  consisted  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  men ;  and  they  took  with  them  all  kinds  of  live 
stock,  it  being  their  intention  to  establish  a  colony,  if 
possible.  They  sailed  first  to  the  Westerbygd,  and  after- 
wards to  Biarney  (Disco.)  From  thence  they  sailed  in  a 
southerly  direction  to  HELLU-LAND,  where  they  found 
may  foxes  ;  and  again  two  days  in  a  southerly  direction  to 
MARK-LAND,  a  country  overgrown  with  wood,  and  plen- 
tifully stocked  with  animals.  Leaving  this,  they  continued 
in  a  S.  W.  direction  for  a  long  time,  having  the  land  to  star- 
board, until  they  at  length  came  to  KIAL-AR-NES,  where 
there  were  trackless  deserts  and  long  beaches  and  sands, 
called  by  them  FURBU-STRAND-IR.  Passing  these, 
they  found  the  land  indented  by  inlets.  They  had  two 
Scots  with  them,  Hake  and  Hekia,  whom  Leif  had  former- 
ly received  from  the  Norwegian  king,  Olaf  Tryggvason, 
and  who  were  very  swift  of  foot.  They  put  them  on  shore, 
recommending  them  to  proceed  in  a  S.W.  direction,  and 
explore  the  country.  After  the  lapse  of  three  days  they 
returned,  bringing  with  them  some  grapes  and  some  ears 
of  wheat,  which  grew  wild  in  that  region.  They  con- 
tinued their  course  until  they  came  to  a  place  where  a 
firth  penetrated  far  into  the  country.  Off  the  mouth  of  it 
was  an  island,  past  which  there  ran  strong  currents,  which 
was  also  the  case  farther  up  the  firth.  On  the  island  there 
were  an  immense  number  of  eyderducks,  so  that  it  was 
scarcely  possible  to  walk  without  treading  on  their  eggs. 
They  called  the  island  STRAUM-EY  (Stream  Isle ,)  and 
the  firth,  SR  AUM-FLiRDR  (Stream  Firth.)  They  landed 
on  the  shore  of  this  firth,  and  made  preparations  for  their 
winter  residence.  The  country  was  extremely  beau- 
tiful. They  confined  their  operations  to  exploring  the 
country.  Thorhall  afterwards  wished  to  proceed  in  a 
N.  direction  in  quest  of  Vineland.  Karlsefne  chose  rather 
to  go.  to  the  S.W.    Thorhall,  and  eight  men  with  him, 


12 


DISCOVERY  OF  AMERICA 


quitted  them,  and  sailed  past  Furbustrander  and  Kialarnes  ; 
but  they  were  driven  by  westerly  gales  to  the  coast  of 
Ireland,  where,  according  to  the  accounts  of  some  traders, 
they  were  beaten  and  made  slaves.  Karlsefne,  together 
with  Snorre  and  Biarne,  and  the  rest  of  the  ships'  com- 
panies, in  all  131  (CXXXI)  men,  sailed  southwards, 
and  arrived  at  the  place  where  a  river  falls  into  the  sea 
from  a  lake.  Opposite  to  the  mouth  of  the  river  were 
large  islands.  They  steered  into  the  lake,  and  called  the 
place  HOP  (/  Hope.)  On  the  low  grounds  they  found 
fields  of  wheat  growing  wild,  and  on  the  rising  ground, 
vines.  While  looking  about  one  morning,  they  observed  a 
great  number  of  canoes.  As  they  exhibited  friendly  sig- 
nals, the  canoes  approached  nearer  to  them,  and  the  natives 
looked  with  astonishment  at  those  they  met  there.  These 
people  were  sallow,  and  ill-looking  :  had  ugly  heads  of 
hair,  large  eyes,  and  broad  cheeks.  After  they  had  gazed 
at  them  for  awhile,  they  rowed  away  again  to  the  S.W. 
past  the  cape.  Karlsefne  and  his  company  had  erected 
their  dwelling  houses  a  little  above  the  bay,  and  there  they 
spent  the  winter.  No  snow  fell,  and  the  cattle  found  their 
food  in  the  open  field.  One  morning  early,  in  the  beginning 
of  1008,  they  descried  a  number  of  canoes  coming  from  the 
S.  W.  past  the  cape.  Karlsefne  having  held  up  a  white 
shield  as  a  friendly  signal,  they  drew  nigh,  and  immediately 
commenced  bartering.  These  people  chose  in  preference 
red  cloth,  and  gave  furs  and  squirrel  skins  in  exchange. 
They  would  fain  also  have  bought  swords  and  spears,  but 
these  Karlsefne  and  Snorre  prohibited  their  people  from 
selling.  In  exchange  for  a  skin,  entirely  gray,  the  Skrel- 
lings  took  a  piece  of  cloth  of  a  span  in  breadth,  and  bound 
it  round  their  heads.  Their  barter  was  carried  on  in  this 
way  for  some  time.  The  Northmen  found  that  their  cloth 
was  beginning  to  grow  scarce,  whereupon  they  cut  it  up  in 
smaller  pieces,  not  broader  than  a  finger's  breadth  ;  yet  the 
Skrellings  gave  as  much  for  these  smaller  pieces  as  they  had 


IN   THE   TENTH  CENTURY. 


13 


formerly  given  for  the  larger  ones,  or  even  more.  Karlsefne 
also  caused  the  women  to  make  and  pour  out  milk  soup, 
and  the  Skrellings  relishing  the  taste  of  it,  they  desired  to 
buy  it  in  preference  to  every  thing  else  ;  so  they  wound  up 
their  traffic  by  carrying  away  their  bargains  in  their 
stomachs.  Whilst  this  trade  was  going  on,  it  happened 
that  a  bull,  which  Karlsefne  had  brought  along  with  him, 
came  out  of  the  wood  and  bellowed  loudly.  At  this  the 
Skrellings  became  terrified,  rushed  to  their  canoes,  and 
rowed  away  southwards.  About  this  time  Gudrida,  Karls- 
efne's  wife,  gave  birth  to  a  son,  who  received  the  name  of 
Snorre.  In  the  beginning  of  the  following  winter  the 
Skrellings  came  again  in  much  greater  numbers  ;  they 
showed  symptoms  of  hostility,  setting  up  loud  yells. 
Karlsefne  caused  the  red  shield  to  be  borne  against  them, 
whereupon  they  advanced  against  each  other,  and  a  battle 
commenced.  There  was  a  galling  discharge  of  missiles. 
The  Skrellings  had  a  sort  of  war  slings  ;  they  elevated 
on  a  pole  a  tremendously  large  ball,  almost  the  size  of  a 
sheep's  stomach,  and  of  a  bluish  colour  ;  this  they  swung 
from  the  pole  upon  land  over  Karlsefne's  people,  and  it 
descended  with  a  fearful  crash.  This  struck  terror  into 
the  Northmen,  and  they  fled  along  the  river.  Freydisa 
came  out,  and  seeing  them  flying,  she  exclaimed  :  "  How 
can  stout  men  like  you  fly  from  these  miserable  caitiffs, 
whom  I  thought  you  could  knock  down  like  cattle  !  If  I 
had  only  a  weapon,  I  ween  I  could  fight  better  than  any 
of  you  I"  They  heeded  not  her  words.  She  tried  to  keep 
pace  with  them,  but  the  advanced  state  of  her  pregnancy 
retarded  her  :  she  however  followed  them  into  the  wood. 
There  she  encountered  a  dead  body  :  it  was  Thorbrand 
Snorrason  ;  a  flat  stone  was  sticking  fast  in  his  head, 
and  his  naked  sword  lay  by  his  side  ;  this  she  took  up, 
and  prepared  to  defend  herself.  She  uncovered  her  bosom, 
and  struck  it  with  the  naked  sword.  At  this  sight  the 
Skrellings  became  terrified,  and  ran  off  to  their  canoes. 


14 


DISCOVERY   OF  AMERICA 


Karlsefne  and  the  rest  now  came  up  to  her,  and  praised 
her  courage.  They  were  now  become  aware  that,  al- 
though the  country  held  out  many  advantages,  still  the 
life  that  they  would  have  to  lead  here,  would  be  one  of 
constant  alarm  from  the  hostile  attacks  of  the  natives. 
They  therefore  made  preparations  for  departure,  with  the 
resolution  of  returning  to  their  own  country.  Sailing 
eastward,  they  arrived  in  Streamfirth.  Karlsefne  then 
took  one  of  the  ships,  and  sailed  in  quest  of  Thorhall, 
while  the  rest  remained  behind.  They  proceeded  north- 
wards round  Kialarnes,  and,  after  that,  were  carried  to  the 
north-west.  The  land  lay  to  the  larboard  of  them  ;  there 
were  thick  forests  in  all  directions,  as  far  as  they  could 
see,  with  scarcely  any  open  space.  They  considered  the 
hills  at  Hope,  and  those  which  they  now  saw,  as  forming 
part  of  one  continued  range.  They  spent  the  third  winter 
at  Streamfirth.  Karlsefne's  son,  Snorre,  was  now  three 
years  of  age.  When  they  sailed  from  Vineland,  they  had 
southerly  wind,  and  came  to  Markland,  where  they  met 
with  five  Skrellings.  They  caught  two  of  them  (two  boys,) 
whom  they  carried  away  with  them,  and  taught  them  the 
Norse  language,  and  baptized  them.  These  children  said 
that  their  mother  was  called  Vethilldi,  and  their  father 
UvjEGE  ;  they  said  that  the  Skrellings  were  ruled  by  chief- 
tains (kings,)  one  of  whom  was  called  Avalldamon,  and 
the  other  Valdi  ida;  that  there  were  no  houses  in  the 
country,  but  that  the  people  dwelt  in  holes  and  caverns. 
Biarne  Grimolfson  was  driven  into  the  Irish  Ocean,  and 
came  into  waters  that  were  so  infested  with  worms  that 
their  ship  was  in  consequence  reduced  to  a  sinking  state. 
Some  of  the  crew,  however,  were  saved  in  the  boat,  as  it 
had  been  smeared  with  seal-oil  tar,  which  is  a  preventive 
against  the  attack  of  worms.  Karlsefne  continued  his 
voyage  to  Greenland,  and  arrived  at  Ericsflord. 


IN   THE   TENTH  CENTURY. 


15 


VOYAGE  OF  FREYDISA,  HELGE  AND  FINN- 
BOGE  ;  THORFINN  SETTLES  IN  ICELAND. 

During'  the  same  summer,  1011,  there  arrived  in  Green- 
land a  ship  from  Norway,  commanded  by  two  brothers,  from 
Austfiord  in  Iceland,  Helge  and  Finnboge,  who  passed 
the  following  winter  in  Greenland.  Freydisa  went  to 
them,  and  proposed  a  voyage  to  Vineland,  on  the  condition 
that  they  should  share  equally  with  her  in  all  the  profits 
which  the  voyage  might  yield  :  to  this  they  assented. 
Freydisa  and  these  brothers  entered  into  a  mutual  agree- 
ment that  each  party  should  have  thirty  able-bodied  men 
on  board  their  ship,  besides  women ;  but  Freydisa  im- 
mediately deviated  from  the  agreement,  and  took  with  her 
five  additional  men,  whom  she  concealed.  In  1012  they 
arrived  at  Leifsbooths,  where  they  spent  the  following 
winter.  The  conduct  of  Freydisa  occasioned  a  coolness 
and  distance  between  the  parties ;  and  by  her  subtle  arts 
she  ultimately  prevailed  on  her  husband  to  massacre  the 
brothers  and  their  followers.  After  the  perpetration  of  this 
base  deed,  they,  in  the  spring  of  1013,  returned  to  Green- 
land, where  Thorfinn  lay  ready  to  sail  for  Norway,  and 
was  waiting  for  a  fair  wind  :  the  ship  he  commanded  was 
so  richly  laden,  that  it  was  generally  admitted,  that  a  more 
valuable  cargo  had  never  left  Greenland.  As  soon  as  the 
wind  became  favourable  he  sailed  to  Norway,  where  he 
spent  the  following  winter,  and  sold  his  goods.  Next  year, 
when  he  was  ready  to  sail  for  Iceland,  there  came  a 
German  from  Bremen,  who  wanted  to  buy  a  piece  of  wood 
from  him  :  he  gave  for  it  half  a  marc  of  gold  :  it  was  the 
wood  of  the  Mazer  tree,  from  Vineland.  Karlsefne  went 
to  Iceland,  and,  in  the  following  year,  1015,  he  bought  the 
Glaumbce  estate,  in  Skagefiord,  in  the  northland  quarter, 


16 


DISCOVERY   OF  AMERICA 


where  he  resided  during  the  remainder  of  his  life  :  his 
son  Snorre,  who  had  been  born  in  America,  was  his  suc- 
cessor on  this  estate.  When  the  latter  married,  his  mother 
made  a  pilgrimage  to  Rome,  and  afterwards  returned  to 
her  son's  house  at  Glaumboe,  where  he  had  in  the  mean 
time  ordered  a  church  to  be  built.  The  mother  lived  long 
as  a  religious  recluse.  A  numerous  and  illustrious  race 
descended  from  Karlsefne,  among  whom  may  be  mentioned 
the  learned  bishop  Thorlak  Runolfson,  born  in  1085,  of 
Snorre's  daughter,  Halfrida,  to  whom  we  are  principally 
indebted  for  the  oldest  ecclesiastical  Code  of  Iceland, 
published  in  the  year  1123;  it  is  also  probable  that  the 
accounts  of  the  voyages  here  mentioned,  were  originally 
compiled  by  him. 


A  SURVEY  OF  THE  PRECEDING  EVIDENCE. 

I.— GEOGRAPHY  AND  HYDROGRAPHY. 

It  is  a  fortunate  circumstance  that  these  ancient 
accounts  have  preserved  not  only  geographical,  but  also 
nautical,  and  astronomical  facts,  that  may  serve  in  fixing 
the  position  of  the  lands  and  places  named.  The  nautical 
facts  are  of  special  importance,  although  hitherto  they 
have  not  been  sufficiently  attended  to ;  these  consist  in 
statements  of  the  course  steered  and  the  distance  sailed  in 
a  day.  From  data  in  the  Landnama  and  several  other 
ancient  Icelandic  geographical  works,  we  may  gather,  that 
the  distance  of  a  day's  sailing  was  estimated  at  27  to  30 
geographical  miles  (German  or  Danish,  of  which  fifteen 
are  equal  to  a  degree :  each  of  these  being,  accordingly, 
equal  to  four  English  sea-miles.)  From  the  island  of 
HELLU-LAND,  afterwards  called  little  Helluland,  Biarne 
sailed  to  Heriulfsnes  (Iki-geit,)  in  Greenland,  with  strong 


IX   THE   TENTH  CENTURY. 


17 


south-westerly  gale?,  in  four  days.  The  distance  between 
that  cape  and  Newfoundland  is  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  miles,  which  will  correspond,  when  we  take  into  con- 
sideration the  strong  gales.  In  modern  descriptions  it  is 
stated  that  this  land  partly  consists  of  naked  rocky  flats, 
where  no  tree,  nor  even  a  shrub,  can  grow,  and  which  are 
therefore  usually  called  Barrens;  thus  answering  com- 
pletely to  the  hell-ur  of  the  ancient  Northmen,  from  which 
they  named  the  country. 

MARKLAND  was  situate  to  the  south-west  of  Hellu- 
land,  distant  about  three  days'  sail,  or  from  eighty  to 
ninety  miles.  Here  then  we  have  Nova  Scotia,  of  which 
the  descriptions  given  by  later  writers  answer  to  that 
given  by  the  ancient  Northmen  of  Markland :  "the  land 
is  low  in  general "  the  coast  to  the  sea-ward  being  level 
and  low,  and  the  shores  marked  with  white  rocks  "  the 
land  is  low,  with  white  sandy  cliffs,  particularly  visible  at 
sea,"  says  the  new  1  North  American  Pilot,'  by  J.  W. 
Norie,  and  another  American  sailor  :  "  on  the  shore  are 
some  cliffs  of  exceedingly  white  sand."  Here  6  level' 
corresponds  completely  to  the  Icelandic  6slettJ  slow  to  the 
sea-ioard*  to  the  short  expression  *  6-sce-bratt?  and  'white 
sandy  cliffs'  to  the  'hvit-ir  sand-ar'  of  the  Northmen. 
Nova  Scotia,  New  Brunswick,  and  Lower  Canada,  situate 
more  in-land,  which  probably  may  be  considered  as  all 
belonging  to  the  Markland  of  the  Northmen,  are  almost 
everywhere  covered  with  immense  forests. 

VINLAND  was  situate  at  the  ^distance  of  two  days'  sail, 
consequently  from  fifty-four  to  sixty  miles,  in  a  south- 
westerly direction  from  Markland.  The  distance  from 
Cape  Sable  to  Cape  Cod  is  stated  in  nautical  works  as 
being  W.  by  S.  about  seventy  leagues,  that  is,  about  two 
hundred  miles.  Biarne's  description  of  the  coast  is  very 
accurate,  and  in  the  island  situate  to  the  eastward,  (be- 
tween which  and  the  promontory  that  stretches  to  east- 
ward and  northward  Leif  sailed)  we  recognize  Nantucket, 
c 


18 


DISCOVERY   OF  AMERICA 


The  ancient  Northmen  found  there  many  shallows  (grunn- 
scpfui  mik-it ;)  modern  navigators  make  mention  at  the 
same  place  "  of  numerous  reefs  and  other  shoals,"  and  say 
u  that  the  whole  presents  an  aspect  of  drowned  land." 

KIALARNES  (from  kiolr,  a  keel,  and  nes,  a  cape,  most 
likely  so  named  on  account  of  its  striking  resemblance  to 
the  keel  of  a  ship,  particularly  of  one  of  the  long  ships  of 
the  ancient  Northmen)  must  consequently  be  Cape  Cod, 
the  Nauset  of  the  Indians,  which  modern  geographers 
have  sometimes  likened  to  a  Horn,  and  sometimes  to  a 
Sickle,  or  Scythe.  The  ancient  Northmen  found  here 
trackless  deserts,  (or-azfi)  and  long  narrow  beaches  and 
sand-hills,  or  sands  (strand-ir  Idng-ar  ok  sand-ar)  of  a  very 
peculiar  appearance,  on  which  account  they  called  them 
FURBU-STRAND-IR  ( Wonder-strands,  from  furt-a,  res 
miranda,  and  strbnd,  strand,  beach.)  Compare  the  descrip- 
tion given  of  this  Cape  by  a  modern  author,  Hitchcock  : 
"  The  Dunes,  or  sand-hills,  which  are  often  nearly  or  quite 
barren  of  vegetation,  and  of  snowy  whiteness,  forcibly 
attract  the  attention  on  account  of  their  peculiarity.  As  we 
approach  the  extremity  of  the  Cape,  the  sand  and  barren- 
ness increase  ;  and  in  not  a  few  places  it  would  need  only 
a  party  of  Bedouin  Arabs  to  cross  the  traveller's  path,  to 
make  him  feel  that  he  was  in  the  depths  of  an  Arabian  or 
Lybian  desert. "  A  remarkable  natural  phenomenon, 
which  is  observed  there,  has  also  most  probably  had  a 
share  in  giving  rise  to  that  peculiar  name.  It  is  thus 
described  by  the  same  author :  "  In  crossing  the  sands  of 
the  Cape,  I  noticed  a  singular  mirage  or  deception.  In 
Orleans,  for  instance,  we  seemed  to  be  ascending  at  an 
angle  of  three  or  four  degrees  ;  nor  was  I  convinced  that 
such  was  not  the  case,  until  turning  about  I  perceived 
that  a  similar  ascent  appeared  in  the  road  just  passed  over. 
I  shall  not  attempt  to  explain  this  optical  deception  ;  but 
merely  remark,  that  it  is  probably  of  the  same  kind  as  that 
observed  by  Humboldt  on  the  Pampas  of  Venezuela  ;  "all 


IN  THE    TENTH  CENTURY. 


19 


around  us,  says  he,  the  plains  seemed  to  ascend  towards 
the  sky."  Thus  we  observe  that  the  appellation  given  by 
the  ancient  Northmen  to  the  three  strands,  or  tracts  of 
coast,  Nauset  Beach,  Chatham  Beach,  and  JMonomoy  Beach, 
is  remarkably  appropriate. 

The  great  Gulf  Stream,  as  it  is  called,  which  issues  from 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  runs  between  Florida,  Cuba, 
and  the  Bahama  Isles,  and  so  northwards  in  a  direction 
oarallel  to  the  eastern  coast  of  North  America,  and  of 
which  the  channel,  in  ancient  times,  is  said  to  have 
approached  still  nearer  to  the  coast,  occasions  great  cur- 
rents precisely  at  this  place,  inasmuch  as  the  peninsula  of 
Barnstaple  offers  opposition  to  the  stream,  as  it  comes 
from  the  southward.  The  STRAUM-FIORDR  of  the 
ancient  Northmen  is  supposed  to  be  Buzzard's  Bay ;  and 
STRAUM-EY,  Martha's  Vineyard  ;  although  the  accounts 
of  the  many  eggs  found  there  would  seem  more  precisely 
to  correspond  to  the  island  which  lies  off  the  entrance  of 
Vineyard  Sound,  and  which,  to  this  day,  is  called  Egg 
Island. 

KROSS-A-NES,  is  probably  Gurnet  Point.  It  must  have 
been  somewhat  to  the  northward  of  this,  that  Karl  seme 
landed,  when  he  saw  the  mountain  range,  (The  Blue 
Hills,)  which  he  considered  as  forming  part  of  the  same 
range,  that  extends  to  the  region,  where  we  recognize  the 
place  named  Hop  (i  Hop-e.) 

The  word  HOP,  in  Icelandic,  may  either  denote  a  small 
recesp,  or  bay,  formed  by  a  river  from  the  interior,  falling 
into  an  inlet  from  the  sea,  or  the  land  bordering  on  such  a 
bay.  To  this  Mount  Hope's  Bay,  or  Mont  Haup's  Bay, 
as  the  Indians  term  it,  corresponds,  through  which  the 
Taunton  River  flows,  and,  by  means  of  the  very  narrow, 
yet  navigable,  Pocasset  River,  meets  the  approaching 
water  of  the  Ocean  at  its  exit  at  Seaconnet.  It  was  at 
this  Hope  that  Leifsbooths  were  situate  ;  it  was  above  it, 
and  therefore  most  probably  on  the  beautiful  elevation 


20 


DISCOVERY  OF  AMERICA 


called  afterwards  by  the  Indians,  Mont  Haup,  that  Thor- 
finn  Karlsefne  erected  his  dwelling-houses. 

II.— CLIMATE  AND  SOIL. 

Concerning'  the  climate  of  the  country,  and  the  quality 
of  the  soil,  and  also  concerning  some  of  its  productions,  the 
ancient  writings  contain  sundry  illustrative  remarks.  The 
climate  was  so  mild,  that  it  appeared  the  cattle  did  not 
require  winter  fodder  ;  for  there  came  no  snow,  and  the 
grass  was  but  slightly  withered.  Warden  uses  similar  ex- 
pressions respecting  this  region  :  "  La  temperature  est  si 
douce  que  la  vegetation  souffre  rarement  du  froid  ou  de  la 
secheresse.  On  Pappelle  It  paradis  de  VAmerique  parce 
qu'elle  Pemporte  sur  les  autres  lieux  par  sa  situation,  son 
sol  et  son  climat.."  "  An  excursion  from  Taunton  to 
Newport,  Rhode  Island,  down  Taunton  River  and  Mount 
Hope  Bay,  conducts  the  traveller  among  scenery  of  great 
beauty  and  loveliness,"  says  Hitchcock ;  and  when  he 
adds,  "  that  the  beautiful  appearance  of  the  country,  and 
the  interesting  historical  associations  connected  with  that 
region,  conspire  to  keep  the  attention  alive,  and  to  gratify 
the  taste,"  he  will  find  that  this  last  remark  is  applicable 
to  times  much  more  remote  than  he  thought  of,  when  he 
gave  expression  to  the  above  sentiment. 

A  country  of  such  a  nature  might  well  deserve  the 
appellation  of  "  the  good,"  which  was  the  epithet  the 
ancient  Northmen  bestowed  on  it ;  especially  as  it  yielded 
productions  whereon  they  set  a  high  value,  and  of  which 
their  colder  native  land  was  for  the  most  part  destitute 

III. — PRODUCE  AND  NATURAL  HISTORY. 
Vines  grew  there  spontaneously  ;  a  circumstance  which 
Adam  of  Bremen — a  foreign  writer  of  the  same  (that  is  of 
the  eleventh)  century —  mentions  that  he  had  learned, 


IN  THE  TENTH  CENTURY. 


21 


not  from  conjecture,  but  from  authentic  accounts  furnished 
by  Danes.  As  his  authority  on  this  occasion,  he  cites  the 
Danish  king,  Sveyn  Estrithson,  a  nephew  of  Canute  the 
Great.  It  is  well  know  that  vines  still  grow  in  that  region 
in  great  abundance. 

Spontaneously  growing  wheat   (sjdlf-sdn-ir  hveiti-akrar.) 

At  the  subsequent  arrival  of  the  Europeans,  Maize,  or 
Indian  corn,  as  it  is  called,  was  found  growing  here  ;  this 
the  natives  reaped*  without  having  sowed,  and  they  pre- 
served it  in  holes  in  the  earth,  as  it  constituted  one  of  their 
most  valuable  articles  of  food.  Honeydew  was  found  on 
the  island  which  lies  off  it,  as  is  also  still  the  case. 

Mazer  (mausur,)  a  species  of  wood  of  remarkable  beauty, 
probably  a  species  of  the  Acer  rubrum,  or  Acer  saccha- 
rinum,  which  grows  here,  and  which  is  called  "  bird's 
eye,"  or  "curled  maple.5'  Wood  for  building  was  also 
obtained  here. 

A  great  number  of  forest  animals  of  all  kinds.  It  is  under- 
stood that  the  Indians  chose  this  region  in  preference,  for 
their  abode,  chiefly  on  account  of  the  excellent  hunting. 

At  present  the  forests  are  for  the  most  part  cut  down, 
and  the  animals  have  withdrawn  to  the  interior  and  wood- 
land regions.  From  the  natives  the  Northmen  bought 
squirrel  skins,  and  all  kinds  of  peltries,  which  are  still  to 
be  found  in  abundance  in  this  district. 

Eyderducks  and  other  birds  were  found  in  great  numbers 
on  the  adjacent  islands,  as  is  also  at  present  the  case, 
on  which  account  some  of  them  have  the  name  of  Egg 
Islands. 

Every  river  was  full  offish,  among  which  are  mentioned 
excellent  salmon.  On  the  coast  was  also  caught  a  great 
quantity  of  fish.  The  Northmen  dug  ditches  along  the 
shore,  within  the  high  water-mark,  and  when  the  tide 
receded,  they  found  halibuts  in  the  ditches.  On  the  coast 
they  also  caught  whales,  and  among  these  the  reibr  (Ba- 
laena  physalus.)    In  the  modern  descriptions  of  this  region 


22 


DISCOVERY   OF  AMERICA 


it  is  stated,  that  "  all  the  rivers  are  full  of  fish  ;"  and 
of  the  waters  in  that  neighbourhood  it  is  said,  u  il  y  a  une 
grande  abondance  de  poissons  de  presque  toutes  les  es- 
peces."  Salmon  may  be  mentioned  as  one  of  these.  Not 
long  ago,  the  whale  fishery  was,  in  that  very  region,  an 
important  branch  of  industry  ;  especially  for  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  adjacent  islands.  Very  possibly  the  adjacent 
Whale  Rock  has  its  name  from  the  same  circumstances. 


IV.— ASTRONOMICAL  EVIDENCE. 
Besides  the  nautical  and  geographical  statements,  one 
of  the  most  ancient  writings  has  preserved  an  astronomical 
notice,  where  it  was  said,  that  here  the  days  were  of  more 
equal  length  than  in  Iceland  or  Greenland ;  that,  on  the 
shortest  day,  the  sun  rose  at  half  past  seven  o'clock,  and 
set  at  half  past  four  ;  which  makes  the  shortest  day  nine 
hours.  This  astronomical  observation  gives  for  the  place, 
latitude  41°  24'  10".  The  latitude  of  Seaconnet  Point,  and 
of  the  southernmost  promontory  of  the  Island  of  Conanni- 
cut,  is  41°  26'  north;  and  that  of  Point  Judith,  41°  23'. 
These  three  headlands  form  the  entrance  boundaries  of 
the  modern  Mount  Hope  Bay,  which  the  ancients,  accord- 
ing to  the  analogy  of  their  language,  no  doubt,  called 
Hopsvatn.  We  thus  see  that  this  statement  corresponds 
exactly  with  the  other  data,  and  indicates  precisely  the 
same  region. 


IN  THE  TENTH  CENTURY. 


23 


DISCOVERIES  OF  MORE  SOUTHERN 
REGIONS. 

The  party  sent  by  Thorwald  Ericson  in  the  year  1003, 
from  Leifsbooths,  to  explore  the  southern  coasts,  employed 
from  four  to  five  months  in  the  expedition ;  they  therefore 
most  likely  examined  the  coasts  of  Connecticut  and  New 
York, — probably  also  those  of  New  Jersey,  Delaware,  and 
Maryland.  The  description  of  this  range  of  coast  is 
accurate. 


ARE  MARSON'S  SOJOURN   IN  GREAT 
IRELAND. 

In  those  times  the  Esquimaux  inhabited  more  southerly 
regions  than  they  do  at  present.  This  is  both  evident 
from  the  ancient  accounts,  and  seems  besides  to  gain  cor- 
roboration from  ancient  skeletons  which  have  been  dug  up 
in  regions  even  more  southerly  than  those  in  question ; 
a  circumstance  which,  however,  merits  a  more  accurate 
examination.  In  the  neighbourhood  of  Vineland,  ' opposite 
the  country  inhabited  by  the  Esquimaux,  there  dwelled, 
according  to  their  reports,  people  who  wore  white  dresses, 
and  had  poles  borne  before  them,  on  which  were  fastened 
lappets,  and  who  shouted  with  a  loud  voice.  This  coun- 
try was  supposed  to  be  HVITRA-MANN-A-LAND,  as  it 
was  called  (the  Land  of  the  White  Men,)  otherwise  called 
IR-LAND  IT  MIKLA  (Great  Ireland,)  being  probably 
that  part  of  the  coast  of  North  America  which  extends 
southwards  from  Chesapeak  Bay,  including  North  and 
South  Carolina,  Georgia,  and  Florida.    Among  the  Sha- 


24 


DISCOVERY   OF  AMERICA 


wanese  Indians,  who  some  years  ago  emigrated  from 
Florida,  and  are  now  settled  in  Ohio,  there  is  preserved  a 
tradition  which  seems  of  importance  here  ;  viz.  that  Flo- 
rida was  once  inhabited  by  white  people,  who  were  in 
possession  of  iron  implements.  Judging  from  the  ancient 
accounts,  this  must  have  been  an  Irish  christian  people, 
who,  previous  to  the  year  1000,  were  settled  in  this 
region.  The  powerful  chieftain,  Are  Marson,  of  Rey- 
kianes,  in  Iceland,  was,  in  the  year  903,  driven  thither  by 
storms,  and  there  received  baptism.  The  first  author  of 
this  account  was  his  contemporary,  Rafa,  surnamed  the 
Limerick-trader,  he  having  long  resided  at  Limerick,  in 
Ireland.  The  illustrious  Icelandic  sage,  Are  Frode,  the 
first  compiler  of  the  Landnama,  who  was  himself  a  de- 
scendant in  the  fourth  degree  from  Are  Marson,  states  on 
this  subject,  that  his  uncle,  Thorkell  Gellerson  (whose 
testimony  he  on  another  occasion  declares  to  be  worthy  of 
all  credit)  had  been  informed  by  Icelanders,  who  had 
their  information  from  Thorfinn  Sigurdson,  Earl  of  Ork- 
ney, that  Are  had  been  recognized  in  Hvitramannaland, 
and  could  not  get  away  from  thence,  but  was  there  held 
in  high  respect.  This  statement  therefore  shows,  that  in 
those  times  there  was  an  occasional  intercourse  between 
the  western  European  countries  (the  Orkneys  and  Ire- 
land,) and  this  part  of  America. 


VOYAGES  OF  BIORN  ASBRANDSON,  AND 
GUDLEIF  GUDLAUGSON. 

It  must  have  been  in  this  same  country  that  Biorn 
As -br  and  son,  surnamed  Breid-vik-inga-kappi,  spent  the 
latter  part  of  his  life.  He  had  been  adopted  into  the  cele- 
brated band  of  Jomsburg  warriors,  under  Palnatoke,  and 


IN   THE  TENTH  CENTURY". 


25 


took  part  with  them  in  the  battle  of  Fyrisval,  in  Sweden. 
His  illicit  amatory  connexion  with  Thurida  of  Frodo,  in 
Iceland,  a  sister  of  the  powerful  Snorre  Gode,  drew  upon 
him  the  enmity  and  persecution  of  the  latter ;  in  conse- 
quence of  which,  he  found  himself  obliged  to  quit  the 
country  for  ever,  and,  in  the  year  999,  he  set  sail  from 
Hraunhofn,  in  Sniofelsnes,  with  a  N.  E.  wind.  Gudleip 
Gudlaugson,  brother  of  Thorfinn,  the  ancestor  of  the 
celebrated  historian-,  Snorre  Sturluson,  had  made  a  trad- 
ing voyage  to  Dublin  ;_  but  when  he  left  that  place  again, 
with  the  intention  of  sailing  round  Ireland,  and  returning 
to  Iceland,  he  met  with  long  continued  north-easterly 
winds,  which  drove  him  far  out  of  his  course  to  the  south- 
west, and  late  in  the  season  he,  along  with  his  company, 
at  last  made  land  ;  the  country  was  very  extensive,  but 
they  knew  not  what  country  it  was.  On  their  landing,  a 
crowd  of  the  natives,  amounting  to  several  hundreds  in 
number,  came  against  them,  overpowered,  and  bound 
them.  They  did  not  know  any  body  in  the  crowd,  but  it 
seemed  to  them  that  their  language  resembled  Irish. 
The  natives  now  took  counsel  whether  they  should 
kill  the  strangers,  or  make  slaves  of  them.  While  they 
were  deliberating,  a  large  company  approached,  dis- 
playing a  banner,  close  to  which  rode  a  man  of  distin- 
guished appearance,  who  was  far  advanced  in  years,  and 
had  gray  hair.  The  matter  under  deliberation  was 
referred  to  his  decision.  He  was  the  aforesaid  Bibrn  As- 
brandson.  He  caused  Gudleif  to  be  brought  before  him, 
and,  addressing  him  in  the  Norse  language,  he  asked  him 
whence  he  came.  As  he  replied  that  he  was  an  Ice- 
lander, Biorn  made  many  enquiries  about  his  acquaintance 
in  Iceland,  particularly  about  his  beloved  Thurida,  of 
Frodo,  and  about  her  son  Kiartan,  supposed  to  be  his  own 
son,  and  who  at  that  time  was  the  proprietor  of  the  estate 
of  Frodo.  In  the  meantime,  the  natives  becoming  im- 
patient, and  demanding  a  decision,  Biorn  selected  twelve 

D 


26 


DISCOVERY   OF  AMERICA 


of  his  company  as  counsellors  ;  he  took  them  aside,  and 
some  time  after,  he  went  towards  Gudleif  and  his  com- 
panions, and  told  them  that  the  natives  had  left  the 
matter  to  his  decision.  He  thereupon  gave  them  their 
liberty,  and  advised  them,  although  the  summer  was 
already  far  advanced,  to  depart  immediately,  because  the 
natives  were  not  to  be  depended  on,  and  were  difficult  to 
deal  with  ;  and,  moreover,  conceived  that  an  infringement 
on  their  laws  had  been  committed  to  their  disadvantage. 
He  gave  them  a  gold  ring  for  Thurida,  and  a  sword  for 
Kiartan.  and  told  them  to  charge  his  friends  and  relations 
not  to  come  over  to  him,  as  he  was  now  become  old,  and 
might  daily  expect  that  old  age  would  get  the  better  of 
him ;  that  the  country  was  large,  having  but  few  har- 
bours, and  that  strangers  must  everywhere  expect  a  hostile 
reception.  They  accordingly  set  sail  again,  and  found 
their  way  back  to  Dublin,  where  they  spent  the  winter  ; 
but  next  summer  they  repaired  to  Iceland  and  delivered 
the  presents ;  and  all  were  convinced  that  it  was  really 
Biorn  Asbrandson  whom  they  had  met  with  in  that 
country. 


BISHOP   ERIC'S  VOYAGE  TO  VINELAND. 

It  may  be  considered  as  certain  that  the  intercourse  be- 
tween Vineland  and  Greenland  was  maintained  for  a  con- 
siderable period  after  this,  although  the  scanty  notices 
about  Greenland  contained  in  the  ancient  manuscripts 
do  not  furnish  us  with  any  satisfactory  information  on  this 
head.  It  is  however  recorded,  that  the  Greenland  bishop, 
Eric,  impelled  probably  by  a  christian  zeal  either  of  con- 
verting the  colonists,  or  of  animating  them  to  perseverance 
in  the  faith,  went  over  to  Vineland  in  the  the  year  1121. 
As  we  have  no  information  of  the  result  of  his  voyage,  but 


IN  THE  TENTH  CENTURY. 


27 


can  merely  gather  from  the  above  expression  that  he 
reached  his  destination,  we  must  presume  that  he  fixed  his 
permanent  residence  in  Vineland.  His  voyage,  however, 
goes  to  corroborate  the  supposition  of  a  lengthened  inter- 
course having  been  kept  up  between  the  countries. 


DISCOVERIES  IN  THE  ARCTIC  REGIONS 
OF  AMERICA. 

The  next  event  in  chronological  order,  of  which  ac- 
counts have  been  preserved  in  ancient  records,  is  a  voyage 
of  discovery  in  the  Arctic  regions  of  America,  performed 
during  the  year  1266,  under  the  auspices  of  some  clergy- 
men of  the  bishopric  of  Garbar,  in  Greenland.  The 
account  of  it  is  taken  from  a  letter,  addressed  by  a  clergy- 
man of  the  name  of  Halldor,  to  another  clergyman,  named 
Arnold,  formerly  established  in  Greenland,  but  who  had 
then  become  chaplain  to  the  Norwegian  king,  Magnus 
Lagabaeter.  At  that  time  all  men  of  any  consequence  in 
Greenland  possessed  large  vessels,  built  for  the  purpose 
of  being  dispatched  northwards,  in  hunting  and  fishing 
expeditions.  The  northern  regions  which  they  visited 
were  called  Norcr-set-ur  ;  the  chief  stations  were  Greipar 
and  Kroks-fiarb-ar-heibi.  The  first  of  these  stations  is 
supposed  to  have  been  situate  immediately  to  the  south- 
ward of  Disco ;  but  that  the  ancient  Northmen  went  much 
farther  north  on  this  coast  may  be  inferred  from  a  very 
remarkable  runic  stone,  found  in  the  year  1824,  on  the 
island  of  Kin-gik-tor-soak,  lying  in  the  latitude  of  72° 
55/  N.  The  latter-mentioned  station  was  to  the  north 
of  the  former.  The  object  of  the  voyage  is  stated  to  have 
been,  to  explore  regions  lying  more  to  the  northward  than 
those  they  had  hitherto  been  accustomed  to  visit,  con- 


28  DISCOVERY   OF  AMERICA 

sequently  lying  farther  north  than  KROKS-FIARD-AR- 
HEIDI,  where  they  had  their  summer  quarters  (set-ur,) 
and  which  they  were  therefore  regularly  accustomed  to 
visit.  The  following  particulars  are  mentioned  relating 
to  this  voyage  of  discovery.  They  sailed  out  of  Kroks- 
flarb-ar-heibi  ;  and,  after  that,  encountered  southerly 
winds,  accompanied  by  thick  weather,  which  obliged  them 
to  let  the  ship  go  before  the  wind.  On  the  weather  clear- 
ing up,  they  saw  many  islands,  and  all  kinds  of  prey,  both 
seals  and  whale?,  and  a  great  many  bears.  They  pene- 
trated into  the  innermost  part  of  the  gulf,  and  had  ice- 
bergs (glaciers)  lying  also  to  the  southward  as  far  as  the 
eye  could  reach.  They  observed  some  vesitges  indicating 
that  the  Skrellings  had  in  former  times  inhabited  these 
regions,  but  they  could  not  land  on  account  of  the  bears. 
They  then  put  about  and  sailed  back  during  three  days ; 
and,  now  again,  they  found  traces  of  the  Skrellings  having 
been  on  some  islands  lying  to  the  southward  of  a  moun- 
tain, by  them  called  Sniofell.  After  this  (on  St.  James's 
day)  they  proceeded  southwards,  a  great  day's  rowing. 
It  froze  during  the  night  in  those  regions,  but  the  sun  was 
above  the  horizon  both  night  and  day  ;  and  when  on  the 
meridian,  in  the  south,  he  was  not  higher  than  that  when 
a  man  lay  down  across  a  six-oared  boat,  stretched  out  to- 
wards the  gunwale,  the  shadow  formed  by  the  side  of  the 
boat  nearest  the  sun  reached  his  face  :  but  at  midnight 
the  sun  was  as  high  as  when  it  was  (highest)  in  the  north- 
west, in  the  Greenland  colony.  Afterwards  they  sailed 
back  again  to  their  home  at  Garcar.  Kroks-fiarb-ar-heifci, 
as  we  have  observed  above,  had  been  for  some  time  previous 
regularly  visited  by  the  Greenlanders.  The  name  shows 
that  the  firth  was  surrounded  by  barren  highlands  (heib-i;) 
and  the  description  of  the  voyage  shows  that  it  was  a 
firth  of  considerable  extent,  in  and  through  which  there 
was  room  for  several  days'  sail.  It  is  stated,  for  instance, 
that  they  sailed  out  of  this  firth  or  sound  into  another  sea, 


IN  THE  TENTH  CENTURY. 


29 


and  into  the  innermost  part  of  a  gulf,  and  that  their  re- 
turning voyage  occupied  several  days.  As  to  the  two 
observations ,  mentioned  as  having  been  taken  on  St. 
James's  day,  the  first  of  them  leads  to  no  certain  result, 
as  we  have  no  sure  means  of  ascertaining  the  depth  of  the 
boat,  or  rather  the  relative  depth  of  the  man's  position,  as 
he  lay  across  the  boat,  in  reference  to  the  height  of  the 
side  of  the  same,  so  as  to  enable  us  to  deduce  the  angle 
formed  by  the  upper  edge  of  the  boat's  side  and  the  man's 
face,  which  is  the  angle  measuring  the  sun's  altitude  at 
noon  on  St.  James's  day,  or  the  25th  of  July.  If  we,  as- 
sume, as  we  may  do  with  probability,  that  it  was  some- 
what less  than  33°,  and  yet  very  near  that  measure,  the 
place  must  have  been  situate  near  north  latitude  75°. 
There  seems  no  probability  that  it  was  a  larger  angle,  and 
consequently  that  the  place  lay  more  to  the  southward. 
The  result  obtained  from  the  other  observation  is  however 
more  satisfactory.  In  the  thirteenth  century,  on  the  25th 
of  July, 

the  Sun's  declination  was  +17°  54/. 

Inclination  of  the  Ecliptic  23°  32'. 
If  we  now  assume  that  the  colony,  and  particularly  the 
episcopal  seat  of  Garbar,  was  situate  on  the  north  side  of 
Igaliko  Firth,  where  the  ruins  of  a  large  church  and  of 
many  other  buildings  indicate  the  site  of  a  principal 
settlement  of  the  ancient  colony,  consequently,  in  60°  55' 
north  lat.,  then,  at  the  summer  solstice,  the  height  of  the 
sun  there,  when  in  the  north-west,  was  =  3°  40',  equiva- 
lent to  the  midnight  altitude  of  the  sun  on  St.  James's  day 
in  the  parallel  of  75°  46',  which  falls  a  little  to  the  [north 
of  Barrow's  Strait,  being  in  the  latitude  of  Wellington's 
Channel,  or  close  to  the  northward  of  the  same.  The 
voyage  of  discovery  undertaken  by  the  Greenland  clergy- 
men was  therefore  carried  to  regions,  which,  in  our  days, 
have  been  more  accurately  explored,  and  their  geographi- 
cal position  determined  by  Sir  William  Parry,  Sir  John 


30  DISCOVERY   OF  AMERICA 

Ross  and  Capt.  James  Clark  Ross,  and  other  British  navi- 
gators, in  the  no  less  daring  and  dangerous  expeditions 
conducted  by  them. 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RE-DISCOVERED  FROM 
ICELAND. 

The  discovery  next  recorded  was  made  by  the  Iceland 
clergymen  Adalbrand  and  Thorwald  Helgason,  well 
known  in  the  history  of  Iceland  as  having  been  involved 
in  the  disputes  at  that  time  prevailing  between  the  Nor- 
wegian king,  Eric  Priesthater,  and  the  clergy,  and  which 
in  Iceland  were  chiefly  headed  by  the  governor,  Rafa 
Oddson,  and  Arne  Thorlakson,  bishop  of  Skalholt.  Ac- 
counts drawn  up  by  contemporaries  contain  merely  the 
brief  notice,  that  in  the  year  1285  the  above-mentioned 
clergymen  discovered  a  new  land  to  the  westward  of  Ice- 
land, (fundu  nyja  land.)  This  land,  to  which  by  command 
of  King  Eric  Priesthater  a  voyage  was  some  years  after- 
wards projected  by  Landa-Rolf,  is  supposed  to  have  been 
Newfoundland. 


A  VOYAGE  TO  MARKLAND  IN  THE 
YEAR  1347. 

The  last  piece  of  information  respecting  America,  which 
our  ancient  manuscripts  have  preserved,  refers  to  a  voyage 
in  the  year  1347,  from  Greenland  to  MARK-LAND,  per- 
formed in  a  vessel  having  a  crew  of  seventeen  men,  being 
probably  undertaken  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  home 


IN  THE   TENTH  CENTURY. 


81 


building-timber  and  other  supplies  from  that  country. 
On  the  voyage  homeward  from  Markland,  the  ship  was 
driven  out  of  her  course  by  storms,  and  arrived  with  loss  of 
anchors  at  Straumfiord,  in  the  west  of  Iceland.  From  the 
accounts — scanty  as  they  are,  of  this  voyage,  written  by  a 
contemporary  nine  years  after  the  event,  it  would  appear, 
that  the  intercourse  between  Greenland  and  America 
proper  had  been  kept  up  to  so  late  a  date  as  the  year 
above  mentioned  ;  for  it  is  expressly  said  that  the  ship 
went  to  Markland,  which  is  thus  named  as  a  country  that 
in  those  days  was  still  known  and  visited. 

#       *        **        *  * 

After  having  perused  the  authentic  documents  them- 
selves, which  are  now  accessible  to  all,  every  one  will 
acknowledge  the  truth  of  the  historical  fact,  that  during 
the  tenth  and  eleventh  centuries,  the  ancient  Northmen 
discovered  and  visited  a  great  extent  of  the  eastern  coasts 
of  North  America ;  and  will  besides  be  led  to  the  convic- 
tion, that  during  the  centuries  immediately  following,  the 
intercourse  never  was  entirely  discontinued.  The  main  fact 
is  certain  and  indisputable.  On  the  other  hand,  there  are 
in  these  as  in  all  other  ancient  writings,  certain  portions 
of  the  narrative  which  are  obscure,  and  which  subsequent 
disquisitions  and  new  interpretations  may  serve  to  clear 
up.  On  this  account  it  seems  of  importance  that  the 
original  sources  of  information  should  be  published  in  the 
ancient  language,  so  that  every  one  may  have  it  in  his 
power  to  consult  them,  and  to  form  his  own  judgment  as 
to  the  accuracy  of  the  interpretations  given. 

With  regard  to  such  traces  of  the  residence  and  settle- 
ment of  the  ancient  Northmen  as,  it  is  presumed,  are  still 
to  be  met  with  in  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island  (the 
countries  which  formed  the  destination  of  their  earliest 
American  expeditions,)  we  shall  content  ourselves  for  the 


32 


DISCOVERY   OF  AMERICA. 


present  with  referring  to  the  hints,  which  are  contained  in 
the  "  Antiquitates  Americans."  This  matter  will  con- 
tinue to  form  a  suhject  for  the  accurate  investigation  of 
the  Committee  of  the  Royal  Society  of  Northern  Anti- 
quaries on  the  Ante-Columbian  History  of  America; 
and  the  result  of  this  investigation,  together  with  such 
additional  elucidations  of  the  ancient  manuscripts  as  we 
may  have  it  in  our  power  to  furnish,  shall  be  communi- 
cated in  the  Annals  and  Memoirs  of  the  Society. 


SOCIETE  ROYALE 
DES  ANTIQU  AIRES  DU  NORD 

A  COPJEjVMAGtIJE. 


SEANCE  ANNUELLE  DU  26  JANVIER  1837. 


Lr  President,  M.  Werlauff,  Conseiller  prive  d'Etat,  ouvre  la 
seance  par  la  lecture  d  un  apergu  general  sur  l'etat  de  la  Societe 
et  sur  ses  operations  pendant  l'annee  1836. 

Fidele  au  but  qu'elle  s'est  propose,  la  Societe  a  dans  lc 
coins  de  l'annee  derniere  publie  les  volumes  suivants  des  anciens 
nianuscrits  de  la  litterature  du  Nord: 

FORNMANNA  SOGUR,  VOL.  XII, 
OLDNORDISKE  SAGAER,  VOL.  XII, 
SCR1PTA  HISTORICA  ISLAND ORUM ,  VOL.  VII. 
Les  deux  premiers  volumes  terminent  le  texte  islandais  et  la 
traduction  danoise  de  la  premiere  serie  des  sagas  historiques  conte 
nant  les  evenements  passes  hors  d'Islande.    Voici  le  contenu  de 
ces   volumes".    1°.   Un  apergu  de  la  chronologic,  c'est-a-dire 
des  annees  du  regne  des  rois  de  Norvege  depuis  Harald  a  la 
belle  cbevelure  jusqu'a  Magnus  Lagaboeter,  et  de  celui  des  rois 
de  Danemark  depuis  Gorm  le  Vieux  jusqu'a  Erik  Glipping,  avec 
un  tableau  chronologique  de  tout  Touvrage,  depuis  851  jusqu'a 
1273.    2°.  Un  registre  geographique ,  en  resume  avec  indication 
de  la  situation  des  lieux  pour  le  texte  original,   et  tres  detaille 
avec  des  recherches  geographiques'pour  la  traduction  danoise. 
Separement  pour  le  texte  original:  3°.  Un  registre  analytique  ou 
table  des  matieres.     4°.   Une  redaction  en  prose  des  poemes 
ou  des  chants  epars  de  toutes  les  sagas  avec  une  interpretation. 
5°.  Un  vocabulaire  des  mots  les  plus  inusites.   Le  dernier  volume 
contient  en  version  latine  l'histoire  des  rois  de  Norvege  depuis 
Magnus  Barfod  jusqu'a  Magnus  Erlin^son  (1093-1184). 


8 


SOCIETE  HO  YALE  DES  AXTIQtfATRES  DU  \ORD. 


Voici  les  ouvrages  des  anciens  manuscrits  qu'on  va  publier 

sous  pen : 

ANTIOUITATES  AMERICANS,  she  SCRIPTORES  SEP- 
TENTRIONALES  RERUM  A NTE  -  COLtJMBI AN^tRTJM 
IN  AMERICA. 
GRONLANDS  HISTORISKE  MINDESM/ERKER  , 
(Monuments  historiques  tie  Groenland).  Vol.  I- II. 
Recherches  archeologi^ues  ex  Amerique.    II  etait  necessairc, 
pour  publier  Ic  premier  de  ees  deux  ouv rages,  de  se  mettre  eu 
rapport  avec  l'Amerique,   afin   d'en  obtenir  des  eclaircissements. 
On   sest  done  adresse  a  la   Societe   historique  de  Rhode -Is- 
land a  Providenee ,    qui  a  forme  un  comite   compose  de  MM. 
John  R.  BartleU,  Albert  G.  Greene  ct  Thomas  H.  Webb.  Ce 
comite  a  etc  charge  de  fournir  tous  les  renseignements  qu'on  de- 
manderait,  et  de  repondre  aux  questions  qui  lui  seraient  propo- 
sees.  A  cet  effet  le  comite  a  entrepris,  par  les  soins  de  la  Societe, 
plusieurs  voyages  dans  le  Massachusetts  et  le  Rhode-Islaxd, 
afin  de  se  mettre  a  meme  de  remplir  sa  tache  de  la  maniere  la 
plus  satisfaisante.  Les  rapports  contenus  dans  les  anciens  manu- 
scrits sur  la  nature  des  pays  visites  par  les  anciens  navigateurs, 
ont  provoque  des  recherches  sur  la  nature,  le  climat  et  les  pro- 
duits  des  contrees  correspondantes  de  lAmerique,  afin  d'etablir 
entre  elles  un  point  de  comparaison.    En  repondant  aux  ques- 
tions qui  lui  avaient  6te  adress^es,  le  comite  a  fourni  des  renseigne- 
ments detailles  qui  ont  servi  a  eclaircir  les  recits  des  manuscrits,  et 
a  prouver  l'ldentite  des  lieux.    Piusieurs  ouvrages  et  cartes  qu  il 
nous  a  fait  parvenir,  ont  encore  aide  a  faciliter  ces  recherches. 
Le  comite  nous  a  en  meme  temps  fait  connaitre  d  anciens  monu- 
ments charges  ^inscriptions  qui  sont  d'une  conformite  incontes- 
table  avec   ceux    qui  dans  l'Europe  septentrionale    datent  du 
moyen  age.    La  premiere  excursion  du  comite  avait  pour  but 
Texamen  de  Inscription  remarquable  du  rocher  d' A s s o ne t -Ne ck 
dans  la  province  de  Bristol  au  Massachusetts ,  inscription  qui 
semble  avoir  ete  faite  au  commencement  du  lle  siecle  pour  ser- 


SOCIETY  ROY  ALE  DES  AVflQUAlKES  DC  INORD. 


3 


vir  dc  temoin  de  l'occupation  de  la  contree  par  les  habitants  du 
Nord.  M.  John  R.  Bartlett,  Membre  du  comite,  a  fait  avec  autant 
de  soin  que  d'exactitude  le  dessin  des  inscriptions  ct  des  em- 
blemes  du  rocher,  et  dessine  l'aspect  du  rocher  raeme  sur  les 
bords  de  la  riviere  de  Taunton  et  de  ses  environs.  M.  le  doc- 
teur  Webb,  qui  etait  charge  de  la  redaction  des  reponses  a 
nos  demandes  ct  a  qui  sont  dus  les  rapports  et  les  descriptions 
continuees,  a  fait  plus  tard  un  voyage  avec  M.  Bartlett  a  Tile 
de  Rhode-Island,  ou  ils  ont  dessine  et  decrit  trois  pierres  char- 
gees  d'inscriptions  sur  la  cote  occidentale  de  Tile  dans  le  dis- 
trict de  Portsmouth.  De  lk  ils  sont  partis  pour  Tiverton,  ou 
trois  autres  pierres  a  inscriptions  ont  ete  egalement  dessinees  et 
decrites.  Ces  ditferents  rapports  sont  successivenient  parvenus  a 
la  Societe  avec  des-  notices  sur  plusieurs  autres  pierres  a  in- 
scriptions qui  ont  ete  detruites  dans  les  dernieres  annees  par  les 
grands  progres  de  ragiiculture.  Tous  les  details  ayant  rapport 
a  ce  sujet  sont  consignes  dans  l'ouvrage  que  nous  annon(;ons. 

La  mention  du  pays  de  Vikland  (pays  vignoble),  faite  par 
Adam  de  Breme,  auteur  etranger  du  lle  siecle,  sert  a  confirmer 
les  relations  islandaises  sur  les  voyages  de  decouverte  en  Ame- 
rique.  Les  anciennes  editions  de  l'ouvrage  de  cet  auteur  etant 
peu  authentiques,  on  s  est  adresse  a  M.  le  docteur  Pertz  du  Hanno- 
vre,  qui  a  pris  part  a  une  nouvelle  edition  d'Adam  de  Breme  des- 
tinee  a  faire  partie  du  grand  ouvrage  qu'on  publie  sous  le  titre  de 
Monumenta  Gennaniaj  historica.  M.  Pertz  nous  a  fait  parvenir  des 
vaiiantes  surtout  d'apres  un  manuscrit  sur  parchemin  de  rouvrage 
d  Adam  appartenant  a  la  bibliotheque  de  la  cour  a  Viennc  et  col- 
lationne  par  lui  pendant  son  sejour  dans  cette  ville.  Afm  d'obte- 
uir  encore  plus  de  garantie,  on  s'est  ensuite  adresse  a  M.  le  comte 
de  Dietrichstein,  chef  de  la  bibliotheque,  pour  se  procurer  un  facsi- 
mile du  chapitre  qui  traite  de  Vinland  dans  cet  excellent  codex 
dc  parchemin,  facsimile  qui!  a  fait  faire  par  M.  F.  de  Bartsch 
et  qu'il  a  cnvoye  ensuite  a  la  Societe. 


4 


sOCltfTE  ROYALE  PES  ANTIQUAlHEs  DU  NORD. 


Ordericiis  Vitalis.  autre  ecrivain  etranger  du  \  >e  siccle. 
meniionne  encore  le  pays  de  Vinland,  mais  sous  un  nom  un  pen 
altere:  on  a  juge  necessaire  tie  faire  collationner  ce  passage 
dans  les  meilleurs  nianuscrits  de  son  livre  (pie  Ton  ait  pu  trouver 
en  France.  M.  Dezoz  de  la  Roquette,  (jni  se  trouvait  alors  a  Paris, 
a  bien  voulu  se  charger  de  ce  travail.  Les  Antiquites  Ameri- 
eaines  rendent  compte  du  resultat  de  l'exanien  qu'il  a  fait  dans  les 
nianuscrits  que  possede  la  Bibliotheque  Royale  de  Paris.  On  y 
trouvc  encore  des  renseignements  sur  un  manuscrit  autographe 
de  I'Histoire  ecclesiastique  dOrderici  depose  a  la  bibliotheque 
d  Ylencon,  et  sur  quelques  copies  mnnuscrites  gardees  h  Rouen 
dont  on  doit  la  connaissance  a  M.  Auguste  le  Prevost  qui  a  tant 
fait  pour  l  archeologie  de  la  Normandie. 

Recherches  archeologiqies  au  Grokxlaxd.  Le  second 
ouvrage  annonee  rendra  un  compte  exact  du  resultat  de  ces  re- 
cherches.  L'annee  derniere  M.  Mathiesen.  ancien  inspccteur  de  la 
colonie  de  Julianeliaab ,  presenta  deux  propositions  d'apres  un 
plan  plus  ou  moins  etendn,  pour  faire  entreprendre  des  re- 
cherches et  des  fouilles  dans  la  mine  d  une  cglise  trouvec  sur  la 
branche  septentrionale  du  golfe  d  Igaltko  .  et  dans  le  eimetiere 
v  attenant.  La  Societe  resolut  de  faire  coniniencer  une  telle  ex- 
ploration des  lieux.  et  M.  Jorgensen,  missionnaire  de  Juliane- 
baab.  fut  charge  de  ces  recherches.  Des  ressources  litteraU 
res  et  plusieurs  instruments  et  objets  indispensables  aux  fouil- 
les furent  envoyes  a  M.  Jorgensen  par  le  premier  navire  qui 
au  printemps  fit  voile  pour  Julianehaab.  Nous  avons  appris 
que  tons  les  envois  lui  sont  bien  parvenus.  Les  recherches  ont 
probablement  ete  faites  Pantonine  dernier  ou  le  seront  au  prin- 
temps, de  sorte  que  la  nouvelle  du  resultat  ne  pourra  nous  par- 
venir  que  par  les  prochains  navires  qui  arriveront  ici  en  automoe. 

Plusieurs  rapports  et  memoires  ont  pendant  Tannee  revolue 
etc  adresses  a  la  Societe  par  des  employes  et  des  homines  de 
leitros  etablis  ou  voyageant  au  Groenland.  En  voici  le*  plus 
iWjM*rtar»ts  i  I-  M.  Jorgensen,  missionnaire.  nous  a  .irlresse  des  notes 


SOCIETY  ROYALL  DES  ANTIOlAlRKlS  DU  NORD. 


5 


additionnelles  a  la  description  tics  mines  tie  Kakortok.  11  y 
avait  joint  Ie  plan  des  lieux,  par  lequel  on  aura  une  idee  plus 
exacte  de  l  etendue  et  du  nombre  de  ces  mines  si  remarquables. 
fc2.  M.  Jorgensen  a  envoye  en  meme  temps  quatre  morceaux  de  po- 
tin  tres  epais,  provenant ,  a  en  juger  par  la  forme,  d'une  cloche 
tres  grande  qui  a  etc  hrisee;  ensuite  un  morceau  de  galet  qui 
parait  etre  le  fragment  d'un  benitier.  3.  II  nous  a  donne  encore 
connaissance  des  rapports  des  indigenes  sur  deux  pierres  char- 
gees  de  runes  qu'il  tachera  de  decouvrir.  4.  M.  Vahl,  bota- 
niste,  a  fait  part  a  la  Societe  d  une  description  des  mines  situ- 
ees  a  Noursoak  au  Groenland  septentrional,  qu'on  a  cm  etre 
une  trape  aux  ours.  5.  Plusieurs  antiquites  curieuses  des 
Esquimaux  ont  ete  envoyees  a  la  Societe  par  MM.  Fasting, 
major,  a  Godhavn,  I.  Vahl,  botaniste  voyageur,  Fundi  et  Flei- 
scher d'Umanak,  et  O.  V.  Kielsen  de  Fiskerness. 

Sous  la  date  du  13  fevrier  S.  M.  le  Roi  a  fait  parvenir  a 
la  Societe  la  suite  des  copies  faites  par  M.  Voigt,  professeur  a 
Koenigsberg,  des  documents  sur  r/itstoire  du  Nora 1 ,  que  pos- 
sedent  les  archives  secretes  de  cette  ville. 

Le  Comite  pour  les  recherches  archeologiques  a  prescnte  un 
rapport  sur  laccroissement  du  Musee  df:s  axtiw^uites  du  ISord 
pendant  l'annee  ecoulee.  D  apres  ce  rapport  le  musee  a  ete  en- 
richi  de  314  numeros.  Les  deux  articles  qui  oflfrent  le  plus  din- 
teret  sont : 

Fne  mom  ie  de  fem^ie  trouvee  dans  une  tourbiere  pres  de 
Haraldskjser  en  Jytland.  Elle  etait  enfoncee  dans  la  vase,  et 
attach  ee  a  un  poteati  a  laide  de  tenons  et  de  crochets.  En 
exammant  les  difterentes  especes^  de  vetements  quelle  portait, 
et  en  la  comparant  a  d'autres  trouvees  dans  le  Nord,  en  Alle- 
magne  e<  en  Irland,  le  Comite  rapporte  cette  momie,  avec  un 
grand  degre  de  probabilite.  aux  dernicrs  temps  du  paganisme,  et 
M.  >.-M.  Petersen  a  taehe  de  prouver.  par  un  tvaite  historique.  que 
v  est  le  corps  de  Gunhilda,  reine  de  Norver/e.  que  le  roi  Harald 
Blaatand   engagea  sous  promesse  de  mariaue  a  venir  en  Dane- 


6 


societe  rovale  des  antiquaiues  du  kord. 


mark,  ou  il  la  fit  tuer  vers  la  fin  de  1'an  965*  M.  R.  Kkyskr, 
Professeur  a  l'universite  de  Christiania,  a  fait  la  description  des 
deux  collections  dobjets  d'antiquite  qu'on  a  decouverts  dans  la 
province  de  Ringerige  en  Norvege,  et  qui  proviennent  du  meine 
temps.  Les  pieces  de  vetement  de  ces  deux  collections  sont 
d'une  parfaite  similitude. 

Non  loin  de  Frederiksbourg  en  Selande  des  paysans  ont 
trouve,  en  labourant  un  champ,  les  principales  parties  d'un  collier 
ties  curieux  en  or,  compose  de  12  bract  eat  es  garnies  d'agraftcs. 
On  y  voit  des  figures  qui  representent  un  quadrupede  cornu  et 
barbu,  surmonte  d'une  teie,  et  sur  quclques-unes  il  y  a  encore 
un  oiseau  et  un  signe  dit  de  Tlior. 

ISous  nommerons  ici  les  memoires  et  les  dissertations  histo- 
viques  et  arclieologiques  que  la  Societe  a  recus  pendant  l'annee  pas- 
sec,  et  qui  sont  destines  a  prendre  place  dans  les  premieres  livraisons 
des  Annales  et  Memoires  de  la  Societe:  Remarques  de  Finn  Mag- 
nusen  sur  une  boucle  avec  deux  inscriptions  de  runes,  qu'on  a 
trouvee  pres  de  Largs  en  Eeosse,  et  que  Ton  croit  avoir  appar- 
tenu  a  Malfried,  qui  etait  d'abord  reine  de  Norvege  et  ensuite 
de  Danemark.  —  Description  de  la  partie  orientale  de  la  muraille 
dite  de  Danevirke  en  Sleswick,  par  le  docteur  Manicus.  —  Traite 
sur  l  ancien  usage  des  Hollandais  et  des  Scandinaves  d'employer 
des  os  de  boeuf  en  guise  de  patlns  par  C.-T.  Falbe  et  Finn 
Magnusen.  —  Sur  un  instrument  en  bronze  trouve  en  Irlande.  — 
Sur  une  fibule  avec  une  inscription  en  runes  anglosaxonnes, 
trouvee  pres  de  Himlingoeie  en  Selande ,  par  le  Comite  pour  les 
recberchcs  arclieologiques.  —  Description  accompagnee  d  estampes 
d amies  et  d  instruments  en  pierre  employes  par  les  Indiens 
avec  des  urnes  et  des  vases  qu'on  a  trouves  dans  les  Etats 
Cuis  de  VAmeriquc  du  Nord,  par  John  R.  Bartlett. 

M.  P.  W.  Becker  donne  lecture  d'un  apercu  sur  plusieurs 
documents  qui  ont  rapport  a  Thistoire  de  Danemark  et  dont  les 
archives  de  la  Suede  sont  depositaires.  —  M.  John  M'Caul  pre- 
terite une  traduction  anglaise  des  histoires  d'Erik  le  Rouge  ct 


SOCIETE  ROYALE  DES  ANTIQUA1RES  DU  MORD. 


ties  Groenlandais,  et  une  autre  de  la  Saga  de  Tliorfiri  Karlsefne. 
—  M.  L.  Keyper  communique  une  traduction  d'un  traite  sur  les 
Sagas  et  leur  rapport  a  l'histoire  de  la  Russie,  produit  par  M. 
Senkovski,  dans  la  Bibliotheque  de  Lectures  Russes.  Le  menie 
Membre  fait  part  d  une  traduction  des  observations  publiees  dans 
la  Bibliotheque  mentionnee  par  le  me  me  auteur  sur  sa  traduction 
russe  de  la  Saga  d'Eymund.  —  M.  Sabinin,  Prevot  de  la  lega- 
tion de  Russie  a  Copenhague,  communique  la  traduction  d'un 
memoire  sur  l'origine  danoise  de  Rurik,  premier  Prince  Regnant 
de  la  Russie,  ecrit  par  M.  le  Professeur  Kruse ,  d'apres  des  an- 
nales  franques  et  allcmandes,  et  insere  dans  le  Journal  du  mi- 
nistere  de  l'instruction  de  la  Russie.  —  M.  Pogodin  ,  Professeur 
a  Moscou,  avait  fait  part  a  la  Societe  de  dessins  de  plusieurs 
inscriptions  et  figures,  taillees  sur  des  pierres  trouvees  en  Russie 
pres  de  Twer. 

La  Societe  a  pendant  Tannee  derniere  re^u  plusieurs  ou- 
v rages  appartenant  surtout  a  Tetude  de  Vanclenne  histoQ'e  et 
des  antiquites.  Ces  ouvrages  lui  ont  ete  adresses  par  l'Acade- 
mie  Imperiale  des  sciences  de  St.  Petersbourg,  rAcademie  Roy- 
ale  des  sciences  de  Lisbonne,  la  Societe  litteraire  de  Fionie, 
la  Societe  bistorique  de  Rhode-Island  en  Amerique,  la  Societe 
asiatiipie  de  Calcutta  en  Bengale,  par  les  Societes  pour  retude 
des  antiquites  et  de  l'histoire  de  Paris,  de  Londres,  d'Edin- 
bourg  (The  Iona  Club),  de  Kiel,  de  Schwerin,  de  Stettin,  de 
Halle,  de  Minden,  de  Rottweil,  de  Franeker;  ensuite  par  les  sa- 
vants et  hommes  de  lettres  suivants :  Adamson  de  Newcastle, 
Brunius  de  Lund,  Buddingh  de  la  Have,  Drejer  de  Copenhague, 
EichLon*  de  Paris,  Endlicher  d^Vienne,  Erdmann  de  Kasan, 
Falck  de  Kiel,  Harris  de  Worchester  en  Massachusetts,  Hettema 
de  Leuwarden,  Janssen  de  Leyde,  von  Klot  de  Riga,  von  Knor- 
ring  de  Finstroem  dans  File  d'Aland ,  Kopitar  de  Vienne,  Lager- 
wall  de  Finlande,  Leemans  de  Leyde,  Malinovsky  de  Moskou, 
Morgenstem  de  Dorpat,  Napiersky  de  Riga,  Neumann  de  Ber- 
gen, Pelting  de  Franeker,  Politi  de  Girgenti  en  Sicile,  Rev  de 


8 


SOClKTi:  HO  VALE  PES  ANTIOl  WHKS  DU  NORD. 


Paris,  Schmidt  <le  Sonderbourg .  Schroeder  d'Fpsale.  le  Marquis 
Serra  de  Genes.  Wellmatm  de  Stettin. 

Les  Reviseurs  ehis  pour  l'an  1836,  MM.  W.  Cathala  et  A. 
Nielsen;  ont  revu  et  signe  le  compte  des  recetfes  vi  defenses 
de  l'an  nee  ecoulee,   rendu  par  le  Tresoricr  M.  J.-F.  Magnus. 

Dans  la  seance  du  mars  d"octo!>re  M.  Finn  Magnusen,  Vice- 
President,  prononec  un  discours  en  ruemoire  de  leu  M.  Schlegel. 
Conseiller  prive  d'Etat  et  Professeur  en  droit  a  l  universite.  II 
jnontre  combien  les  sciences  et  la  Societe  ont  perdu  par  la  mort 
de  cet  homnie  si  generalement  aime,  qui  depuis  le  12  levrier  1831 
avait  ete  revet u  de  la  presidenee  de  la  Societe,  fonction  dont  il 
s'acquitta  avec  un  zele  qui  lui  merite  l  estinie  et  la  reconnais- 
sance des  amis  de  la  science. 

Conformcinent  aux  statuts  de  la  Societe  on  procede  dans  la 
rheme  seance  an  choix  du  Prksidknt  pour  les  3  annees  sui- 
vautes,  et  Ton  elit  M.  WerlaufF.  Conseiller  prive  dfttat.  Presi- 
dent de  l'unjversite  et  Directeur  de  la  bibliothcque  royale. 

On  elit  ensuite  les  autres  fonctionnaires  de  la  Societe  pour 
les  3  annees  1837,  1838  et  1839.  A  la  majority  des  voix  on 
nomme:  Vicf-Prksidr\t  M.  Finn  Magnusen;  Skciikta irk  M. 
C.-C,  Rafn;  Trksorier  M.  J.-F.  Magnus. 


SOCIETE  ROYALE  DES  ANTIQUAIRES  DU  NORD.  O 

DONS  ET  COTISATIONS  PENDANT  I/ANN^E  1835. 

.     ,  Rds. 

S.  M.  FREDERIC  VI,  Roi  de  Dan  em  ark   300 

Ac k it r a  n tv  (W.-A.),  Professeur  et  Bibliothecaire  a  Lubeck  .    .    .  100 

Awamsotv  (John),  Esq.,  Sec.  de  la  Soc.  des  Ant.  a  Newcastle  upon  Tyne  50 

Ascherade  (Baron  Schoultz  d'),  Ministre  ple'nipotcntiairc  de  Prusse  50 

Athanasii/s  (S.  Em.)  ,  Archev£quc  de  Tobolsk  et  de  Siberie  ...  63 

Baratayeff  (Prince  Michel),  Conseillcr  d'Etat,  a  Simbirsk    ...  51 

Barkow  (A.-F.),  Professeur  a  l'Universite  de  Greifswalde  ....  50 

Becker  (R.  von),  Professeur  a  l'Universite  de  Helsingfors  ....  50 

Urtham  (Sir  William),  Ulster  King  of  Arms,  a  Dublin   50 

Boswohth  (the  Rev.  Joseph),  F.S.A. ,  a  Rotterdam   50 

Botfield  (Beriah),  Esq.,  a  Norton  Hall  en  Northamptonshire .    .    .  200 

Cappoivi  (Marquis  Gino),   M.  res.  de  l'Ac.  de  la  Crusca  a  Florence  50 

Cleasey  (Richard),  Esq.,  London  50 

Croker  (Thomas  Crofton),  Esq.,  F.  S.  A.,  M.  R.  1.  A.  a  Dublin  .    .  50 

Dawson  (Henri  Richard)  ,  Dean  of  St.  Patrick's  Cathedral,  Dublin  .  50 

Freymark  (S.  Em.),  Evcque  et  Surint.  geu.  du  Grand-Duehe  de  Posen  ,  89 

Fritsch  (Baron  C.-G.  de),  Ministre  d'Etat  actuel,  a  Weimar    .    .  50 

II ammer-Purgstall  (Baron  J.  de) ,  Conseiller  de  Cour,  a  Vienne  .  55 

Holm  (A. -J.),  Sec.  an  Cons.  R.  de  l'ile  de  St.  Thomas  en  Amerique  .  50 

Hortvbech  (H.-B.),  Doct.-medccin,  a  l'ile  de  St.  Croix  en  Amerique  50 

Howard  (Henri),  Esq.,  F.  S.  A.,  a  Corby  Castle  en  Cumberland    .  50 

Keckmaiviv  (C.-N.) ,  Professeur  a  l'Universite  de  Helsingfors  ...  50 

Kiellerup  (A. -A.),  Major,  a  l'ile  de  St.  Thomas  en  Amerique  .    .  50 

Krusenstern  (J.  de),  Amiral,  a  St.  Petersbourg   50 

Lachmann  (C),  Professeur  a  l'Universite  de  Berlin   50 

Litvdetvau  (Baron  de) ,  Ministre  prive  d'Ftat  a  Dresde   52 

Linsen  (J.-G.),  Professeur  a  l'Universite  de  Helsingfors    ....  50 

Lotvnrot  (E.),  Docteur  en  medecine,  a  Kajana  en  Finlande    ...  50 

Meinhold  (Guillaume),  Pasteur  de  Crummin  a  Usedom      ....  50 

Metvchikoff,  (Prince  Alex.),  Amiral,  Gouverneur  de  Finlande    .    .  150 

OsNomsoHiTv  (D.I,  Cons.,  a  Mourom  dans  le  Gouv.  de  Vladimir     .  02 

Philarete  (S.  E.),  M.  de  la  s.  S.,  Metrop.  de  Moscou  et  de  Kolomna  50 

Phillips  (George),  Professeur  a  l'Universite  de  Munich     ....  52 

Pippitvg  (C.-F.-W.)  ,  Professeur  a  l'Universite  de  Helsingfors    .    .  50 

Raasloff  (Harald  lvar  Andre),  Hornme  de  lettres   50 

Rexxenka-hpff  (G.  de),  Cons,  super,  de  Dir.,  a  Helmet  en  Livonie  50 

Sabitvitv  (Eticnne),  Prevot  de  la  Legation  Imp.  russe  a  Copenhag'iie  50 

J*>ch  leg  el  (A.  G.  de),  Professeur  a  l'Universite  de  Bonn    ....  50 

Schubert  (F.  H.  de) ,  Lieutenant -general  ,  a  St.  Petersbourg    .    .  100 

SfiRApmiv  (S.  E.),  M.  de  la  s.  S.,  Metrop.  de  Novg.  et  de  St.  Petersbourg  50 

Smith  (Richard  B.),  Esq.,  F.S.A. ,  M.R.S.L.,  a  Liverpool  ....  50 

Sothihatvn  (M.-N.)j  Pasteur  de  Mildstedt  dans  le  Duche  de  Slesvig  50 

Stenersen  (A.-C.-A.),  Assesseur,  a  l'ile  de  St.  Thomas  en  Amerique  50 

Teni38Trom  (J. -J.),  Professeur  a  1'lJjMversite  de  Helsingfors  ...  50 

Trigozo  (F.  M.  d'Aragao  Morato),  V.  P.  de  la  Ch.  des  Pairs  a  Lisbonne  50 

Tschertkoff  (A.),  Colonel,  M.  de  la  Soc.  de  l'Hist.  russe  a  Moscou  53 

Vatv-IIehsde  (Ph.-G.),  Professeur  a  l'Universite  d'Utrecht    ...  52 

Warimkorxig  (L.-A.),  Professeur  a  la  Faculty  de  Droit  a  Gand     .  52 

West  (William),  Esq.,  Docteur  en  medecine,  a  Dublin   50 


lO  S0C1ETE  HO  YALE  DES  ANTIOUA1RES  DU  NORD. 

DONS  ET  COT1SATIONS  PENDANT  L'ANNEE  1836. 

S.  M.  FREDERIC  VI,  Roi  de  Dancmark   300 

S.  A.  R.  Mgr.  GUILLAUME,  Prince  d'Orange   100 

Arzybychev  (N.),  Homme  de  lettres,  a  Zywilsk  dans  le  Gouv.  de  Kazan  50 

Berzelius  (Baron  J.),  Prof,  et  Sec.  de  PAc.  des  sc.  a  Stockholm     .  90 

BrOnosted  (P.  O.)  ,  Professeur  a  l'Universite  de  Copcnhague  .    .    .  100 

Corsini  (Prince  Don  Neri),  Ministre  de  l'lnterieur,  a  Florence    .    .  53 

Cyrillus  (S.  E.),  Archev6que  de  Podolie  et  de  Brezlau   55 

Dezoz  de  laRoquette  (J.  B.  M.  A.),  Consul  de  France,  a  Christiania  50 

Doudeauville  (O.  Due  de),  Pres.  de  la  Soc.  de  Stat.  univ.  de  Paris  53 

Elphinstone  (Hon.  Mount-Stuart),  a  Londres   100 

Hall  (R.)  ,  Amiral  ct  Gouverneur  d'Arckangel   52 

Hansen  (P.).,  Cons,  de  la  Regence,  a  Tranquebar  aux  Indcs  Orientales  50 

Haxthausen  (Baron  Werner) ,  a  Boekendorph  en  Vestphalie    ...  50 

Hard  (Charles),  Major-general,  a  Upsala   50 

Ingram  (James),  Pres.  de  Trinity  College  de  l'Universite  d'Oxford  .  100 

Kiriakow  (M.) ,  Homme  de  lettres,  a  Odessa     ........  109 

Lagerheim  (Baron  E.) ,  Ministre  plenip.  de  Suede  a  Copenhague  .    .  76 

Lang  (Hugh)  de  St.  Croix,  a  Greenock  en  Ecosse   100 

Lewschine  (Alexis) ,   Gouverneur  civil  d'Odessa   50 

Lignell  (A.)  Prevflt,  a  Kila  en  Vermeland   50 

Longfellow  (H.  W.) ,  Prof,  a  l'Un.  de  Cambridge  en  Massachusetts  52 

Lowell  (Ch.),  Sccr.  de  la  Soc.  historique  de  Massachusetts    .    .    .  99 

Lutke  (Frederic),  Amiral,  a  St.  Pctersbourg   52 

Malinovskv  (A.),  Gen.,  Pres.  de  la  Soc.  de  l'hist.  russe  a  Moscou  .  52 

Moltke  (Comte  C.  E.  de),   Consciller  prive,  a  Aagaaitl  en  Selande  100 

Molrier  (C.  E.) ,  Gouverneur,  a  Tranquebar  aux  lndes  Orientales  .  50 

Qvalen  (H.  B.  von),  a  Damp  en  Sleswick   50 

Rantzau  (Comte  H.  C.  W.)  a  Hohenhain  en  Sleswick   50 

Rohde  (L.  J.),  Commandeur-Capitaine,  a  St.  Thomas  en  Amcriquc  .  50 

Sant-Angelo  (Nicolo),  Ministre  de  l'lnterieur,  a  Naples    ....  53 

Schllzenheim  (Baron  D.  de),  Chancelier  de  la  Cour,  a  Stockholm    .  50 

Stifft  (Baron  A.  J.  de),  Med.  ord.  de  l'Emp.  Francois  1,  a  Vienne  .  100 

Tegner  (Esaias)  ,  Evcque  de  Vexioe  en  Suede   50 

Vargas  (J.),  President,  de  la  Rep.  Venezuela  en  Amerique  ....  100 

Vincke  (L.  de),  Grand-President  de  Vestphalie   50 

(Ertzen  (Max.  von),  Pres.  de  la  Soc.  des  sciences  a  Goerlitz     .    .  50 


COMPTE  DES  RECETTES  ET  DEPENSES  DE  L 'ANN  EE  1836. 

lids.  8. 


Dons  et  cotisations  des  Membres  (vide  supraj  2346    -    >    5281  7 


SOCIETE  ROYALE  DES  ANTIQUAIRES  DU  NORD. 


11 


APERgU  DU  FONDS- PERMANENT  DE  LA 
SOCIETE  ROYALE  DES  ANTIQUAIRES 
DU  NORD. 

Nota  Selon  les  statuls  tout  don  de  100  Rds.  (25  ducats  de  Hollande)  et  an  dessus, 
y  compris  la  cotisation,  est  ver9e  dans  le  fond9  permanent  sous  le  nom  dn 
Membre  qui  en  est  donateur. 

Fonds  originaire  Rds.  en  argent  1500 


Aal  (Jaqucs),  Proprietaire  des  usincs  de  Ncsse  en  Norvege     .    .    .  100 

Ackermatvn  (W.-A.) ,  Professeur  et  Bibliothecaire,  a  Lubcck  .    .    .  100 

Albinus  (J.-H.-J.),  Conseiller  de  Chancellerie   300 

Amiersen  (J-))  Conseiller  de  Chancellerie   450 

Berzelius  (Baron  J.).  Prof,  et  Seer,  de  1'Ac.  R.  des.  sc.,  a  Stockholm  100 

Bexley  (Nicolas  Lord),  F.R.L.,  F.S.A.,  V.P.R.S.L.,  a  Londres     .  200 

Bille-Brahe  (Comte  Preben)  de  Brahesminde  en  Fionie   100 


Blome  (Baron  A.  de)  ,  Ministre  plenip.  de  Danemark,  a  Londres     .  100 

Blome  (Comte  O.),  Min.  plenip.  de  Danemark,  a  St.  Petersbourg    .  170 

Bloudoff  (Dimitrij),  Ministre  de  l'lnterieur,  a  St.  Petersbourg    .    .  100 

Botfield  (Beriah),  Esq.,  a  Xorton-Hall  en  Northamptonshire  .    .    .  200 

Brockdorff  (Baron  C.-L.),  Curateur  de  I'Universite  de  Kiel  .    .    .  100 

Br«!vdsted  (P.  0.),  Cons.  pr.  d'Etat  et  Prof,  a  l'Un.  de  Copenhague  100 

Chaudoir  (Baron  Stan,  de),  Curat,  des  Ecoles  du  District  de  Kioff  .  100 

Cooper  (Charles  Purton) ,  Esq.,  LL.  D.,  a  Londres   100 

Daschkoff  (D.  de) ,  Ministre  de  la  Justice,  a  St.  Petersbourg  .    .    .  100 

Dietrich  stein  (Comte  M.) ,  Prefet  de  la  Bibl.  Imper.,  a  Vienne  .    .  100 


Donxer  (C.-H.),  Conseiller  d'Etat   250 

Elphinsto^e  (Hon.  Mount-Stuart),  a  Londres   100 

Eugene  (S.  Em.),  M.  de  la  s.  S.,  Metropolitan!  de  Kioff  ct  de  Halicz  100 

Freymark  (T.  D.),  Eveque  et  Surint.  gen.  des  e'glises  de  Posen  .    .  100 

Galitzin  (Prince  Serge) ,  Cur.  des  e'coles  du  District  de  Moscou  .    .  210 

Gurn^y  (Hudson),  Esq.,  F.  R.  S. ,  Y.JZ-  S.  A.  de  Londres     ....  100 

Hall  (Roman)  Amiral,  Gouverneur  d'Arckangel   100 

Horsburgh  (J.) ,  Hydrogr.  de  la  Comp.  des  Indes  Or.,  a  Londres  .  150 

Ingram  (James),  Pre's.  de  Trinity  College  de  I'Universite  d'Oxford  .  100 

Kiriakow  (Michel),  Homme  de  lettres,  a  Odessa   120 

Klewiz  (W.-A.  de),  Ministre  d'Etat  de  Prussc,  a  Berlin  ....  120 

Kold  (Pierre) ,  Commissionnairc  de  la  Cour  de  re'conciliation  .    .    .  600 

Lamb  (William),  Esq.,  a  l'ile  de  St.  Thomas  en  Amerique     .    .    .  160 


18         SOCIETE  ROYALE  DES  ANTIQUA1RES  DU  \ORL>. 


Lang  (Hugh),  M.D. ,  a  Greenock  en  Ecosse   100 

Lerchenfeld  (Baron  de) ,  Min.  d'Etat  et  des  Finances,  a  Munich  .  100 

Lowell  (Charles),  D.D. ,  Seer,  de  la  Soc.  hist,  de  Massachusetts   .  100 

Mecklembolrg-Strelitz  (S.  A.  R.  George)  le  Grand  Due  de  .    .    .  180 

Menchikoff  (Prince  Alex.),  Amiral ,  Gouverneur  de  Finlande  .    .    .  150 

Molander  (Jean),  Ev6que  de  Borgo  en  Finlande   100 

Moltke  (Comte  A.-W.),  Ministre  prive  d'Etat   100 

Moltke  (Comte  C.  E.),   Consciller  prive,  a  Aagaard  en  Se'lande    .  100 

Mulertz  (A.-F.),  Roctcur  du  College  de  Horsens   100 

Nassau  (S.  A.  S.  Guillaumc)  le  Due  de   200 

I\avarrete  (Don  Fern,  de),  P.  de  l'Ac.  R.  de  I'hist.  d'Esp.,  a  Madrid  100 

Ouvaroff  (Serge)  ,  Min.  de  l'lnstr.  publiquc,  a  St.  Petersbourg    .    .  100 

Orange  (S.  A.  R.  Guillaume),  Prince  d'   100 

Petit  (Louis  Hayes),  Esq.,  F.  R.  S. ,  F.  S.  A.  de  Londrcs  ....  200 

Schmidt  (P.-C),  Senateur,  a  Tonningen  en  Sleswick   200 

Schubert  (F.  H.  de),  Licutenant-ge'neral ,  a  St.  Petersbourg  .    .    .  100 

Stifft  (Baron  A.  J.  de),  Med.  ord.  de  l'Empereur  Francois  1,  a  Vienne  100 

StrOyberg  (C),  Consciller  de  Chancellcrie   600 

Thamsen  (H.-D.),  Consciller  d'Etat  actuel,  a  Stuttgard   2020 

Van-Deurs  (J.-F.),  Commissaire-general  de  guerre   100 

Vargas  (J.),  M.D. ,  Pres.  de  la  Re'p.  Venezuela  en  Ame'rique     .    .  100 

Werkmester  (M.) ,  Homme  de  lettres   100 

Un  Homme  d'Etat  de  Russie  a  St.  Petersbourg   100 

Fonds  sous  la  denomination  de  uGroenland"   600 

Fonds  sous  la  denomination  de  ((Stavakgf.r"   200 

Autre  augmentation  du  fonds  permanent   9390 


Total  du  fonds  permanent,  le  31  decembre  1836,  Rds.  en  argent  21600 


Les  Reviseurs  ont  declare  par  ecrit  qu'ils  avaient  examine'  les  bons 
royaux  qui  constituent  le  fonds-permanent  de  la  Socie'te  s'elevant  a  la  somme 
totale  de  21600  risdalcs,  et  qu'ils  les  avaient  trouve's  rcvetus  des  signatures 
des  Membres  de  l'Administration  et  inscrits  sur  les  livrcs  de  la  Caisse  Royale, 
commc  formant  le  capital  inalienable  de  la  Socie'te. 


Tout  ce  que  Von  euvoie  a  la  Societe  doit  etre  adresse  au  Secretaire,  M.  C.-C. 
Rafn,  Profes8eur,  a  Copenhague,  rue  Krouprindsensgade  u°.  40. 


ROYAL,  SOCIETY 
OF  NORTHERN  ANTIQUARIES. 


AGJJNTS  TO  THE  S0C1ETV: 

LONDON,    Messrs.  Preller  &'  Gabain. 
BOSTON  MASS.,    Messrs.  A.  &*  C.  Cunningham. 
NEW  YORK,    Messrs.  Bookman,  Johnston  &  Co. 

St.  THOMAS,    WEST-INDIES   {    ^D  Esq. 

>  \   William  Lamb,  Esq. 


tUiirks  laUlt)  puMisljfir. 
ANTXQUXTATES  AMERICAN 

SIVE 

§CRIPTOR£§  SEPTE1VTRIOIVAIJES 
RE  RUM  A]¥TE-COLUMBIAlVABUM 
IHT  AMERICA. 


J^Llkxandkr  von  Humboldt ,  who  of  all  modern  travellers  has  thrown 
the  greatest  light  on  the  physical  circumstances,  first  discovery,  and  ear- 
liest history  of  America,  has  admitted  that  the  Scandinavian  Northmen 
were  the  true  original  discoverers  of  the  New  World ;  a  fact  which  seve- 
ral later  writers  of  eminence  have  nevertheless  either  flatly  denied,  or 
called  in  question.  The  above  mentioned  great  inquirer  has  however 
remarked  that  the  information  which  the  Public  as  yet  possesses  of  that 
remarkable  epoch  in  the  middle  ages  is  extremely  scanty,  and  he  has 
expressed  a  wish  that  the  Northern  Literati  would  collect  and  publish  all 
the  accounts  relating  to  that  subject.  The  Royal  .Society  of  Northern  Anti- 
quaries considers  it  a  matter  of  duty  to  comply  with  this  wish,  embracing 
a  threefold  purpose:  that  of  illustrating  ancient  geography  and  history ;  that 
of  perpetuating  the  memory  of  our  forefathers,  and  lastly  that  of  everlas- 
tingly securing  to  them  that  honorable  station  in  the  history  of  the  World,  of 
Science,  of  Navigation,  and  of  Commerce,  to  which  they  are  justly  entitled. 
This  has  appeared  to  the  Society  to  be  so  much  the  more  necessary,  since 
the  latest  researches  have  rendered  it  in  a  high  degree  probable,  that  the 
knowledge  of  the  previous  Scandinavian  discovery  of  America,  preserved 
in  Iceland,  and  communicated  to  Columbus  when  he  visited  that  island  in 
1177,  operated  as  one.  and  doubtlessu-as  one  of  the  most  powerful  of  tho 
causes  which  inspired  the  mind  of  that  great  man  (whose  glory  cannot  in  any 
degree  be  impaired  by  the  prior  achievement)  with  that  admirable  zeal,  which 
bidding  defiance  to  every  difficulty  enabled  him  to  effect  the  new  discovery 
of  the  New  World  under  circumstances  that  necessarily  led  to  its  imme- 
diate, uninterrupted,  and  constantly  increasing  colonization  and  occupation 
by  the  energetic  and  intelligent  races  of  Europe.  For  this  his  memory 
will  be  imperishable  among  the  nations  of  the  earth.  Yet  still  we  Northmen 
ought  not  to  forget  his  meritorious  predecessors,  our  own  forefathers,  who 
in  their  way   had  difficulties  to  contend  with  not  less  formidable,  silica 


2 


ROYAL  SOCIETY  OF  NORTHERN  ANTIQUARIES. 


without  knowledge  of  the  properties  of  the  magnet,  without  aid  of  com- 
pass, charts,  or  mathematical  science  properly  so  railed,  they  dared  to 
navigate  the  great  Ocean,  and  thus  by  degrees  discovered  and  partly  co- 
lonized Iceland  in  the  ninth  century,  Greenland  in  the  tenth,  and  subse- 
quently several  of  the  islands  and  Coasts  of  America  during  the  latter 
part  of  the  tenth  and  beginning  of  the  eleventh  century. 

It  is  the  last  of  these  epochs  —  very  remarkable  in  the  history  of 
the  world,  yet  not  sufficiently  known  —  that  forms  the  subject  of  the 
work  now  announced.  No  separate  work  has  hitherto  been  devoted  to 
this  subject,  if  we  except  the  Yinlandia  of  Torf.eus,  published  in  1705, 
and  now  extremely  scarce.  That  work  however  does  not  contain  any 
collection  of  the  original  statements  on  which  the  investigation  must  be 
based,  and  such  accounts  as  it  does  communicate  are  but  few  and  incom- 
plete. This  collection  therefore  now  makes  its  appearance  for  the  first 
time  as  complete  as  possible,  compiled  from  the  numerous  and  valuable 
MISS  now  extant,  and  accompanied  by  a  Danish  and  also  a  complete 
Latin  translation;  and  by  prefatory  remarks,  archa>ological  and  geogra- 
phical disquisitions,  and  other  critical  apparatus  also  in  Latin.  Of  it* 
contents  Ave  can  here  merely  give  a  brief  sketch,  mentioning  only  the  prin- 
cipal sections.  Among  these  may  be  named,  first  the  historical  accounts 
of  Erik  the  Red,  and  the  Greenlanders,  extracted  —  and  now  for  the  first 
time  accurately  published  —  from  the  celebrated  Codex  Flateyensis,  parti- 
cularly concerning  Uiarne  Herii  lfson's  and  Leif  Ericsoiv's  first  discovery 
of  the  American  Islands  and  Coasts,  and  the  several  voyages  thither,  per- 
formed by  Leif's  brothers  and  sister.  A'ext  the  Saga  of  Thorfiiviv  Tuord- 
son  surnamed  Karlsefne,  descended  from  Irish,  Scottish,  Norwegian,  Swe- 
dish and  Danish  Ancestors,  chiefly  taken  from  two  ancient  MSS  never 
before  edited,  and  in  fact  not  previously  known  to  the  Literati,  the  one  of 
which  is  supposed  to  be  partly  a  genuine  autograph  of  the  celebrated 
llauk  Erlendson,  Lawman  of  Iceland,  well  known  as  a  compiler  of  one  of  the 
Recensions  of  the  Landnama-book.  This  very  remarkable  Saga  contains 
detailed  accounts  of  Thorfinn  Karlsefne's  and  his  company's  three  years 
voyages  and  residence  in  America,  whereby  an  entirely  new  light  is  diffu- 
sed over  this  subject  hitherto  so  little  known.  The  only  knowledge  that 
Torfams  had  of  this  Saga,  which  he  imagined  to  be  lost,  was  derived  from 
some  corrupted  extracts  of  it  contained  in  the  collection  of  materials  for 
the  history  of  ancient  Greenland  left  by  the  Iceland  Farmer  Bibrn  John- 
son of  Skardso.  It  is  now  for  the  first  time  submitted  to  the  literary 
world  in  a  complete  form.  The  work  here  announced  moreover  contains 
every  thing  else  that  the  Society  has  been  able  to  collect  and  discover 
relating  to  that  knowledge  of  the  IS ew  World  which  our  forefathers  obtained 
from  the  early  discoveries  and  researches  of  the  Northmen.  Among  these 
we  may  mention,  1.  Adam  of  Bremen's  accounts  of  Yineland  (in  America) 
written  in  the  eleventh  century,  being  in  fact  communicated  to  him  by  the 
Danish  Kins:  Sweyn  Estrithson,  and  compiled  from  authentic  accounts  fur- 
nished to  him  by  Danes,  and  now  for  the  first  time  published  from  the 
excellent  Codex  in  the  Imperial  Library  at  Vienna,  of  which  a  Facsimile  ha« 
been  transmitted  to  the  Society  by  the  Chief  of  the  Library,  Count  Diet- 
richstein.  2.  Arc  Frode's  account  of  Yineland,  written  in  the  same  or 
in  the  following:  century  ;  and  also  3,  of  the  eminent  Icelandic  chief  Ark 
Mar  son,  one  of  his  own  ancestors,  who  in  the  year  983  was  driven  to  a 
part  of  America  situate  near  Yineland,  then  called  Hvitra>ia\nalan«  or 
Great  Ireland,  whose  inhabitants  (of  Irish  origin)  prevented  him  from  re- 
turning, but  at  the  same  time  treated  him  with  great  respect.  4.  Other 
ancient  accounts  respecting  the  Icelandic  hero  Bi&rn  Asbrandson,   in  his 


ROYAL.  SOCIETY  OF  NORTHERN  ANTIQUARIES. 


3 


day  one  of  the  Iomsburg  Warriours  under  Palnatoke,  and  fighting  along  with 
them  in  the  battle  of  Fyrisval  in  Sweden:  he  also  in  the  yeac  yiJU  re- 
paired to  one  of  the  coasts  of  America,  where  he  was  detained  in  the  same 
manner,  but  resided  there  as  chief  over  the  natives  for  about  30  years. 
5.  Account  of  an  Icelandic  mariner,  Gudleif  Gidlaugson,  who  was  driven 
to  the  same  coast  in  the  year  1027,  and  who  was  rescued  from  death  or 
captivity  by  his  above  mentioned  countryman.  6.  Extracts  from  the 
Annals  of  Iceland  of  the  middle  ages,  in  so  far  as  they  relate  to  America, 
particularly  Bishop  Eric's  voyage  to  Vineland  in  1121 $  the  discovery  of 
new  countries  by  the  Icelanders  in  the  Western  Ocean  in  1285 ;  an  expe- 
dition from  Norway  and  Iceland  in  the  year  1288-90 ;  and  also  a  trading 
voyage  from  the  ancient  colony  in  Greenland  to  Markland  in  America  in 
1347,  as  recorded  by  contemporaries.  7.  Ancient  accounts  of  the  most 
northern  districts  of  Greenland  and  America,  chiefly  visited  by  the  North- 
men for  the  purpose  of  hunting  and  fishing ;  among  these  a  very  remark- 
able account  (from  a  letter  of  a  Greenland  clergyman)  of  a  Vovagk 
of  Discovery  undertaken  by  some  clergymen  from  the  Bishopric  of  Gard- 
ar  in  Greenland,  in  the  year  1266,  being  —  as  is  corroborated  by  an 
astronomical  observation  —  through  Lancaster  Sound  and  Barrow's 
Strait  to  regions  which  in  our  days  have  for  the  first  time  been  made 
correctly  known  through  the  zealous  exertions  of  Sir  William  Parry ,  Sir 
John  Ross,  and  Capt.  James  Clark  Ross,  and  other  British  navigators. 
8.  Extracts  from  the  ancient  geographical  works  of  the  Icelanders,  to 
which  is  added  an  outline  taken  in  the  13th  century  representing  the 
earth  in  four  inhabited  quarters.  9.  An  ancient  Faroish  Qvaji  wherein 
Vineland  is  named,   and  allusion  is  made  to  its  connexion  with  Ireland. 

To  which  are  added  1.  A  description  accompanied  by  delineations  and 
occasionally  by  perspective  views  of  several  Monuments,  chiefly  Inscrip- 
tions, from  the  middle  ages,  found  partly  in  Greenland  and  partly  in  the 
States  of  Massachusetts  and  Rhode-Island  in  North  America,  on  the  one 
hand  confirming  the  accounts  in  the  Sagas,  and  on  the  other  illustrated 
by  them,  II.  Detailed  Geographical  Inquiries  lately  undertaken  at  the 
instance  of  the  Society,  Avhereby  the  sites  of  the  regions  and  places 
named  in  the  Sagas  are  explored,  and  arc  pointed  out  under  the  names 
by  which  they  are  now  commonly  known,  viz.  Newfoundland,  Bay  of  St. 
Lawrence,  Nova  Scotia,  and  especially  the-  States  of  Massachusetts  and 
Rhode-Island,  and  even  districts  more  to  the  South,  probably  situate  in  Vir- 
ginia, North  Carolina,  and  in  Florida,  which  is  supposed  to  be  the  most  sou- 
therly land  mentioned  in  the  most  authentic  Saga-accounts,  although  sundry 
of  the  Northern  Geographers  of  tlie  middle  ages  would  seem  to  intimate  their 
knowledge  of  the  easterly  direction  taken  by  the  continent  of  South  America. 
They  arc  chiefly  based  on  the  accounts  in  the  ancient  MSS,  and  on  the  expla- 
nations of  the  astronomical,  nautical  and  geographical  statements  con- 
tained in  the  same,  which  besides  receive  the  most  complete  confirmation 
from  accounts  transmitted  by  distinguished  American  scholars,  with  whom 
the  Society  have  entered  into  correspondence,  and  who,  after  several  jour- 
neys undertaken  for  that  object  in  Massachuscts  and  Rhode-Island,  have 
communicated  accurate  illustrations  respecting  the  nature  of  the  countries, 
their  climate,  animals,  productions,  etc.,  and  have  furnished  the  Society  with 
descriptions  and  also  with  delineations  of  i  he  ancient  Monuments  found  t  here. 
\\\.  AChronological Conspectus,  arranging  under  their  proper  dates  the  several 
<  oya  ges  to  America  and  the  most  important  events  which  occurred  in  that  quar- 
ter oft  he  world  •  IV.  An  Index  of  Persons,  in  which  thenamcsof  thosepersons 
(of  both  sexes)  who  took  part  in  the  American  Voyages  are  printed  in  a  diffe- 
rent type.  Y.  A  Geographical  Index,  in  which  the  same  method  followed 


4 


ROYAL  SOCIETY  OF  NORTHERN  ANTIQUARIES. 


in  regard  to  names  of  places  mentioned  in  America.  VI.  An  Index  Rerum, 
containing  among  other  tilings  I  he  names  of  the  various  productions  of  the 
American  countries.  VII.  Genealogical  Tables,  showing  the  lineage  of  the  most 
eminent  of  the  Northern  discoverers  of  America,  continued  down  to  our  days, 
whereby  it  is  demonstrated  that  many  persons  now  living  in  Iceland,  Nor- 
way, and  Denmark,  as  also  the  celebrated  sculptor  Thorwaldsen  in  Rome, 
do  actually  descend  from  them,  that  is  from  men,  who  800  years  ago  were 
the  chiefs  of  the  American  natives,  or  who  were  at  that  remote  period 
horn  in  America. 

The  work  consists  of  05  sheets  large  Quarto  and  is  accompanied  by 
18  large  engravings,  viz:  8  Facsimiles,  some  of  which  represent  entire 
pages  of  the  best  of  the  MSS  employed  on  the  present  occasion,  in  order 
to  give  a  clear  and  complete  idea  of  their  nature:  by  dint  of  much  pains 
the  artist  has  succeeded  in  representing  them  with  great  accuracy,  both  as 
regards  the  outlines  of  the  letters,  which  were  often  much  faded  away 
and  dillicult  to  discern,  and  also  the  colour  of  the  different  parchments. 
Further  4  Maps,  viz:  1.  One  of  Ancient  Iceland,  being  the  h'rst  ever 
made,  representing  its  republican  division  about  the  year  1000,  con- 
structed by  the  Icelandic  geographer  Biorn  Grunnlangson  with  the  aid 
of  Finn  Magnuscn  and  other  Icelandic  scholars.  '4.  A  Map  of  the  di- 
strict of  Julianehaab  in  Greenland,  probably  comprizing  the  Eystri- 
bygd ,  as  it  was  called,  (also  important  in  a  geographical  point  of  view), 
constructed  for  the  Society  by  Cant,  William  A.  Graah  R.  \  .  from  observa- 
tions and  measurements  made  by  him  in  the  country  itself,  and  from  such 
Other  authorities  as  were  available.  On  this  map  are  noted  the  numerous 
sites  (rudcra)  of  churches  and  houses  of  the  ancient  colonists,  as  far  as 
these  are  now  known.  3.  A  General  Chart  of  the  Northern  ley  Ocean, 
and  of  the  Coasts  of  the  Atlantic  for  the  purpose  of  exhibiting  a  view 
of  the  voyages  of  discovery.  Here  is  delineated  the  Eastern  part  of 
North-America,  together  with  such  names  of  countries,  capes,  firths, 
islands,  and  places,  from  Lancaster-Sound  to  Florida  ,  as  were  adopted 
by  the  ancient  Northmen.  1.  A  Map  of  Vine  land,  also  with  the  ancient 
Northern  appellations.  Finally,  six  Eisgravixcs  being  delineations,  and 
■partly  prospects  of  the  Greenland  and  American  monuments  from  the  middle 
ages  treated  of  in  the  work 3  several  of  these  are  very  remarkable,  and, 
for  the  most  part,  hitherto  quite  unknown,  such  as  Inscriptions  on  Rocks 
in  Massachusetts  and  Rhode-Island,  which  from  the  disquisitions  eon-* 
taincd  in  the  work,  would  seem  to  have  been  partly  intended  to  indicate  the 
handnam,  or  the  occupation  of  the  country,  effected  by  the  ancient  Northmen, 

For  the  con  venience  of  those  who  prefer  reading  English  to  La  I  in, 
there  is  given  in  English  a  historical  view  of  the  Voyages  of  Discovery, 
accompanied  by  the  geographical  disquisitions,  on  which  account  the  maps 
thereunto  referring  have  also  English  names.  Moreover  the  several  com- 
munications received  from  the  North  American  Members  of  the  Society's 
Committee  on  the  Ante- Columbian  History  of  America  arc  also  inserted 
in  English, 

The  Society  considers  the  work  now  announced  as  so  Important  and  illustra, 
live  both  of  the  history  of  the  world  in  general  and  of  the  ancient  North  in  parti- 
cular, that  bath  on  this  account  and  also  as  a  well  merited  tribute  to  our  forefathers, 
it  ought  in  point  of  typography  and  embellishments  to  be  published  in  as  correct 
and  splendid  a  dress  as  circumstances  may  permit.  The  price  is  proportioned  to 
the  ai/o  of  the  copies,  and  the  style  in  which  they  are  trot  tip;  viz.  Large  Vellum 
I'aper  5/  ,  Imperial  Paper  3/.  and  Common  Paper  likewise 

The  subscription  for  the  two  sets  of  line  paper  copies  being  already  nearly 
filled  up,  an  early  application  is  recommended  to  individuals  who  are  desirous 
*}|  obtaining  copies  on  superiour  paper 


ROYAL  SOCIETY  OF  3VORTHERN  ANTIQUARIES. 


5 


HISTORISKE  MINDESM^IRKER. 


(GREENLAND'S  HISTORICAL  MONUMENTS.) 


T  hk  rediscovery  of  the  coasts  of  East-Greenland,  undertaken  at  the 
cost  of  the  Danish  Government,  and  achieved  by  Captain  Graah,  has  anew 
directed  the  public  attention  towards  such  traces  and  vestiges  as  may  be 
still  remaining  of  the  ancient  .Scandinavian  Colony  in  Greenland.  Monu- 
ments and  Inscriptions  lately  discovered  in  the  country  itself  shew  that 
the  colonization  and  navigation  of  the  ancient  Northmen  extended  all  the 
way  from  the  southernmost  extremity  of  the  land,  to  its  most  northern 
coasts  and  islands,  even  farther  to  the  northward  than  it  has  been  found 
practicable  in  our  days  to  establish  Danish  settlements.  A  commencement 
has  been  made  of  investigating  and  elucidating  the  numerous  remains  of  anti- 
quity in  South  Greenland,  and  since  1831  arrangements  have  been  entered 
into  by  this  Society  for  securing  their  more  accurate  examination  ,  deline- 
ation and  description.  Implements  and  other  requisites  have  been  dispatched 
thither  to  facilitate  the  prosecution  of  journeys  for  the  purpose  of  construc- 
ting maps,  of  making  excavations  in  the  ruins,  of  executing  drawings  of 
the  Monuments  and  Inscriptions,  and  for  accomplishing  whatever  else  may 
tend  to  a  complete  elucidation  of  the  olden  time  of  this  remote  Arctic  land : 
and  the  local  authorities  of  the  country  itself,  in  addition  to  the  services 
already  rendered  by  them,  have  promised  a  continuance  of  their  assistance 
towards  the  prosecution  of  these  researches.  In  this  way,  and  also  by 
means  of  the  elucidations  contained  in  the  ancient  manuscripts  themselves, 
it  is  hoped  that  Ave  may  soon  arrive  at  a  certainty  as  to  the  long  dispu- 
ted site  of  the  Eystribygd,  and  of  the  ancient  bishopric  of  Gardar,  and  be 
also  able  to  supply  much  farther  illustrative  information.  The  work  will 
consist  of  three  sections,  of  which, 

THE  F1HST  SECTION  will  contain  ancient  original  writings  and  frag- 
ments, chiefly  Icelandic  or  composed  in  the  ancient  language  common  to  the  coun- 
tries of  the  North,  relating  to  the  early  History  of  Greenland,  with  separate 
introductions,  annexed  Danish  translations,  and  explanatory  notes.  To  which 
will  be  added,  1.  Genealogical  Tallies,  continued  in  some  instances  to 
(he  present  times;  2.  Chronological  Lints  containing  a  more  complete  Cata- 
logue of  the  bishops  and  official  persons  in  Greenland  than  those  hitherto 
published;  3.  Several  original  Diplomas ,  some  of  them  newly  disco- 
vered and  hitherto  unpublished,  with  the  requisite  translations.  These 
accounts  and  documents  begin  about  the  year  900  and  reach  to  the  middle 
of  the  15th  century.  Also  a  eollcctioir""of  less  authentic  accounts  accor- 
ding to  which  it  would  appear  that  the  ancient  Colony  was  still  in  exi- 
stence in  (he  beginning  of  the  lGlh  century;  4.  An  abstract  of  the  legal 
history  of  the  Icelandic  republic  and  of  the  oldest  Lawbook  relating  to 
Greenland ,  and  in  connexion  therewith  remarks  on  the  administration  of 
Justice  there. 

SECOND  SECTION:  Collection  of  ancient  accounts  relating  to  the 
geographical  and  physical  dksciuption  of  G  rk  en  land  ,  with  separate  in- 
troductions, annexed  Danish  translations,  and  explanatory  remarks.  To 
which  will  also  be  added  other  communications   and  extracts  of  alleged, 


(i 


110 VAL  SOCIETY  OF  NOllTHEli.N  ANTIQUARIES. 


but  fur  the  most  part  later,  voyages  of  Italians  and  others  to  Greenland  ; 
among  which  the  voyages  of  the  Zeni.  with  critical  and  geographical 
disquisitions  annexed. 

THIRD  SECTION:  Later  accounts  and  researches  respecting:  Grbbw- 
lano  particularly  with  regard  to  the  Monuments  of  its  olokm  time,  its 
antiquities  and  early  history:  anions:  which  ,  1.  A  view  of  the  more 
recent  literary  works  treating  of  that  country:  2.  the  rediscovery  of  the 
west  coast  of  Greenland,  and  its  modem  colonization  with  a  brief  view 
of  the  most  important  voyages  undertaken  Cor  that  object,  concerning  which 
documents  hitherto  unknown  will  be  communicated:  .'J.  A  Topographical 
Description  of 'West-Greenland  (taken  partly  from  the  Egedefe,  Crank, 
Thorhallesen ,  Dalaa'er,  Brtihn,  Arrtander,  31oi  k,  Saabyr.  Collin,  Worm- 
skiold,  Kragh,  and  others)  particularly  as  regards  the  vestiges  and  re- 
mains of  the  churches  and  dwelling:  houses  of  the  ancient  colonists,  as 
also  other  monuments  and  antiquities  remaining  from  their  limes,  such  as 
stones  with  inscriptions,  etc.  This  division  will  contain  extracts  from  older 
writings,  some  of  which  have  been  printed  but  are  now  scarce,  while 
others  of  them  have  never  before  been  printed;  also  a  detailed  exposition 
of  the  result  of  the  investigations  undertaken  under  the  management  of 
the  Society":  4.  Later  accounts  tarnished  by  Scoresby  and  others,  partly 
taken  from  the  oral  statements  of  native  G-recnlanders ,  and  which  relate 
to  the  East  coast  and  its  inhabitants,  and  also  to  the  various  shipwrecks 
of  Danish  vessels,  with  the  loss  or  preservation  of  their  crews  on  the 
same  coast,  extending  down  to  the  period  ofGraah's  voyage j  5.  Remarks 
on  the  most  important  results  of  Craah's  voyage,  especially  with  respect 
to  his  rediscovery  of  Gunnbiarnarsker  and  the  Cross  Islands.  t>.  Geogra- 
phical Researches  respecting  the  site  of  the  firths  and  other  places  men- 
tioned in  the  ancient  MSS. 

The  work  will  he  accompanied  by  illnstra'ive  maps,  also  by  engraved  plans 
of  the  ruins,  delineations  of  the  runic  atones  and  other  remains  of  antiquity  found 
iu  Greenland.  It  will  consist  of  it  Volumes,  of  which  2  have  already  issued  from 
the  press.    I'rice  of  Vol.  I.  II.,  Large  Taper  2  t.  5*.  Co  mm  mi  Paper  1/.  10  s. 


ANNALS  AND  MEMOIRS 

OF  THE 

ROYAL  SOCIETY  OF  NORTHERN  ANTIQUARIES'. 


\couragko  by  the  interest  for  Northern  Antiquities,  now  awakened 
not  only  in  our  remote  northern  regions,  hut  also  in  other  coun- 
tries, the  Society  have  resolved  to  publish  their  Transactions  and  Re- 
searches concerning  the  earlier  history  and  antiquities  of  Northern 
Europe  and  America  in  two  simultaneous  periodical  works,  to  be  entitled 
Annals  and  Memoirs;  by  which  means  they,  no  longer  bounding  their  views 
by  the  limits  of  Northern  Europe,  hope  to  render  the  most  important 
of  their  researches  more  easily  accessible  to  the  Public  at  large.  In 
the  Annals  contributions  of  the  above  mentioned  nature  will  be  received 
in  Danish  or  Swedish,  (and  occasionally  in  Icelandic);  and,  wherever  it 
may  appear  dcsireable  for  the  sake  of  elucidation  or  information,  Maps 
wil]  be  given,   and  also  Delineations  of  Antiquities  and  of  the  Monu- 


ROYAL  SOCIETY  OF  NORTHERN  ANTIQUARIES. 


ments  of  ancient  times.  The  Memoirs,  which  are  inseparably  connected  with 
the  Annals,  will  comprize  similar  contributions,  in  English,  French  or 
German,  either  original  or  translated.  In  the  Memoirs  will  also  be  given 
explanatory  remarks  on  the  most  important  of  the  Delineations  contained 
in  the  Annals,  and  original  contributions  not  elsewhere  communicated  in 
the  works  of  the  Society.  In  English,  for  example,  there  av'iII  be  succes- 
sively inserted  the  result  of  the  continued  investigations  and  researches  of 
the  Society's  Committees  on  the  Historical  Monuments  of  Greenland 
and  on  the  Ante-Columbian  History  of  America ,  in  order  to  throw  as 
much  light  as  possible  on  the  ancient  accounts  contained  in  the  two  works 
above  announced. 

Of  the  Annals  it  is  expected  that  one  Number  in  Bvo,  containing  from  10  to 
12  sheets,  will  be  published  yearly  commencing  from  18'?6;  ami  that  a  Number  of 
similar  size  will  be  published  of  the  Memoirs  every  second  year.  The  two  first 
Numbers  of  the  Annals  are  already  published,  and  the  lirst  Number  of  the  Memoirs 
will  appear  in  the  Summer 'of  1 In  each  series  twoNunibcrs  will  always  make  a 
Volume.    The  price  of  each  Number  is  'is.  6  rf. ,  consequently  of  each  volume  7*. 


EARLIER  PUBLICATIONS. 

FORNM  \\\A  SOGUR  or  the  historical  Sagas  recording  events  out  of  Ice- 
land, in  the  original  Icelandic  or  Old-Northern  text;  complete  in  12  Vol.s  8vo.  Price 
Vellum  Paper  tj  I.  14  s.    Common  Paper  4/.  9*. 

SCR1PTA  HISTORIC  A  ISLAN  DOR  C M  ,  the  same  Sagas  translated  into 
Latin,  with  a  critical  apparatus,  12  vol.s  8vo.,  of  which  the  tirst  7  are  published.  Price 
of  Vol.  I-VII.  Vellum  Paper  3/.  19,?.    Common  Paper  21.  15  s. 

OLDNORDISKE  SAGAF.R,  the  same  Sagas  translated  info  Danish;  complete 
in  12  Vol.s    Bvo.    Price  Common  Paper  $/.  8*. 

FFREYIXGA  SAGA,  or  the  history  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Faroe  Islands, 
in  Icelandic,  the  Faroe  dialect,  and  Danish,  and  w  ith  a  Map  of  the  islands.  8vo.  Price  "is. 

FORNALDAR  SOGl'R  NOHDRkAXDA,  Vol. MIL,  being  a  complete  edition, 
in  8vo.,  of  the  mytho-historical  Sagas.  Price  Vellum  Paper  21.  15  s.  Common  Paper 
2  1.2  s. 

KRAKUMAL  sire  Epicedium  Ragnaris  Lodbroci,  or  Ode  on  the  heroic  deeds 
and  death  of  the  Danish  King  Ragnar  Lodbrok  in  England,  in  Icelandic,  Danish, 
Latin,  and  French.    8vo.    Price  8s. 

NOKDISK  TIDSSKRIFT  FOR  OLDKYXDIGHED,  Archaeological  Trans- 
actions, complete  in  3  Vol.s.  in  8vo.    Price  Common  Paper,  1  /. 


BOOKSELLERS. 

r  nivvinv    J   Mr.  James  Hohk,  12,  Kiner  William  Street,  Strand, 
liimuum    ^   Mr.  Thomas  Hoon,  2,  Great  Newport  Street. 
DCDLIN,    Messrs.  Hojhjes  &,  Smith,  21,  College  green. 
PARIS,    Mr.  Arthi  s-Rkrtram)  ,  23,  Rue  Hautefeuille. 
FLORENCE,    Mr.  Joseph  Molini,  Via  degli  Archibusicri. 
NEW  YORK,    Mr.  William  Jackson,  53,  Cedar  Street. 


From  the  above  mentioned  Booksellers  the  latest  publications  of  the  Society- 
are  always  to  be  had;  and  orders  are  received  by  them  for  the  earlier  works,  lit 
general  in  the  course  of  every  spring  the  works  published  by  the  Society  in  the  pre- 
ceding interval  will  be  dispatched  to  them.  It  is  requested  that  orders  for  such 
works,  as  well  as  for  those  earlier  published,  may  be  sent  to  them  before  the  close 
of  February  each  year,  in  order  that  the  expense  of  postage  may  be  diminished  by 
transmitting  them  to  Copenhagen  in  one  List. 

It  is  to  be  observed  that,  from  not  knowing  the  expense  of  Freight  and  Duty, 
it  has  not  been  possible  to  include  these  charges  in  the  prices  lixed. 

Members  of  the  Society,  and  other  persons  paying  in  advance,  either  by  Hills 
on  one  of  the  larger  commercial  houses  of  Europe,  or  to  one  of  the  Society 's  Agents, 
can  also  order  the  works  directly  from  the  Secretary's  office. 


It  hlim  I  LATIOVS 

OF  THE 

ICELANDIC  FUBLICATIOIV  FUNI>, 

ERECTED  BY 

THE  ROYAL  SOCIETY  OF  NORTHERN  ANTIQUARIES. 


T.  JLhe  Royal  Society  of  Northern  Antiquaries  lias,  in  conformity 
with  one  of  its  fundamental  laAvs,  erected  a  Permanent  Fund,  the  annual 
interest  of  which  is  intended  to  be  devoted  exclusively  to  the  publication 
and  interpretation  of  Old  Icelandic  MSS  and  to  the  promotion  of  Nor- 
thern Archaeology  in  general. 

II.  To  the  progressive  augmentation  of  this  Fund  are  devoted  :  I) 
All  Compositions  of  fifty  Rix-Dollars  paid  by  the  Members  on  their  ad- 
mission. 2)  All  larger  Donations.  3)  Should  it  ever  happen  that,  in  any 
given  year,  the  sum  of  these  Compositions  and  Donations  were  to  fall 
short  of  a  fifth  of  the  Society's  whole  revenue  for  that  year,  so  much 
from  the  Society's  other  income  to  be  added  thereto  as  will  make  them 
equal  to  a  said  fifth  part  of  the  whole. 

III.  It  is  incumbent  on  the  Officers  of  the  Society  to  take  care  that 
these  Regulations  be  carried  every  year  into  effect,  and  especially  on  the 
Treasurer  to  specify  in  his  Annual  Accounts  that  the  due  amount  has 
been  added  to  the  said  Fund,  as  well  as  on  the  Auditors  of  every  year 
to  attest  the  same,  with  the  view  that  this  may  be  inserted  in  the  Society's 
Annual  Report. 

IV.  The  Funds  thus  laid  up  are  not  to  be  diminished  by  any  future 
resolution  of  the  Society,  to  provide  against  which,  it  is  resolved  that  the 
Royal  Bonds,  of  which  the  said  Permanent  Fund  consists,  or  will  consist, 
shall  in  conformity  herewith  be  endorsed  as  inalienable  by  sale,  or  transfer. 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Society  held  the  30th  of  October  1831,  these 
Regulations  have,  in  conformity  with  the  Statutes  of  the  Society,  been 
unanimously  adopted,  whereunto  all  Members  now  and  henceforward  shall 
conform  themselves,  observing  the  same  in  all  their  words,  clauses,  and 
stipulations. 

Separate  Regulation  in  the  Statutes:  The  names  of  Members  who 
pay  a  Composition  of  or  above  100  Rix-Dollars  (11  Guineas)  are  inser- 
ted in  the  List  of  the  Founders.  This  List  is  to  be  published  in  all  the 
Annual  Reports  of  the  Society. 

*  #  *  The  Agents  receive  for  the  Society  the  Compositions  of  the 
Society's  Members,  and  of  the  Founders  of  the  Icelandic  Publication 
Fund ;  likewise  Subscriptions  and  Payments  for  books  published  by  the 
Society. 

A  number  of  Copies  of  the  Society's  Annual  Reports  are  transmitted 
yearly  to  its  Agents.  In  these  are  contained  a  List  and  Accounts  of  all 
the  Compositions  and  Donations  to  the  Permanent  Fund  received  during  the 
preceding  year,  so  that  every  one  has  it  in  his  power  to  convince  himself 
that  they  have  been  added  to  the  Permanent  Fund.  These  Annual 
Reports  are  transmitted  directly  to  the  Members  and  Founders;  and  the 
Agents  will  also  furnish  them  to  Subscribers  of  the  Society's  works  and 
to  other  persons  wishing  to  be  informed  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Society. 

*  *  *  AH  Communications  are  to  be  addressed  to  the  Secretary,  Professor 
C.  C.  Hafn,  40  Crowu-Piiiicc  Street,  Copenhagen. 


► 


/ 


